Council approves $25,126 payout for severed APS staff; residents ask about oversight of outside contractor

The Saint Joseph County Council approved Bill 55-25 on July 8 to appropriate $25,126 from the prosecutor’s pretrial/diversion fund (Fund 7398) to cover accrued paid time off and payroll-related fringe costs for adult protective services (APS) investigators whose unit moved from the prosecutor’s office to an outside company.

Bob Raisen Hoover of the prosecutor’s office said the APS investigators were severed effective July 1 and that all but one investigator have been hired by the outside firm. “These people are all severed as of July 1. So this takes their PTO and the payroll fringes that's due to those payments, and it's for the $25,126,” he said. He added the fund requires council approval for such appropriations.

At public comment, Tom Morrow asked whether the county retains a check-and-balance through the prosecutor’s office to ensure senior citizens receive appropriate treatment under the new contractor. Raisen Hoover and Council members responded that the prosecutor’s office would provide oversight and that most investigators had been rehired by the firm, which the prosecutor viewed as encouraging.

Council members noted the pretrial/diversion fund balance cited in the hearing (Raisen Hoover said the fund held roughly $242,240 as of June). Councilwoman Hess said it was good news that investigators familiar with the community were retained by the new contractor. Councilman Figg moved to approve the bill; Councilman Tanner seconded. The roll call vote was 9-0 in favor.

The appropriation covers PTO and fringe payments for separated staff; it does not itself change contract terms or the county’s oversight arrangements. Council members said oversight and quality concerns would continue to be monitored through the prosecutor’s office.