Miami County reports lower turnover in 2024; commissioners discuss benefits, overtime and motor vehicle fund shortfall

Interim Human Resources Director Sarah Denny presented Miami County’s fourth-quarter 2024 human resources report at the study session on Feb. 19, reporting 78 hires, 56 separations and an average annual turnover of 5 percent — down from 6.9 percent in 2023.

"We ended 2024 with 56 separations, 78 new hires. So our average turnover for the year was 5 percent," Denny said, noting the county had about 250 budgeted full-time positions and roughly 231 active full-time employees at the time of the report. Denny told commissioners the county closed 2024 with 15 vacancies across departments, compared with roughly 38 vacancies at the end of 2023.

Denny described the limited response rate to exit surveys as a constraint on understanding reasons for departures: the county sends exit surveys but typically receives about one-in-ten back. Where reasons were identified, Denny said shorter commutes, higher pay and organizational communication issues were common.

The commission discussed payroll, overtime and retirement plan differences. Denny explained the county’s KPERS…