County council approves budget transfers, pays for new voting machines and OKs public defender funding

Kosciusko County Council on Thursday approved multiple interfund transfers and appropriations and authorized payment for 200 new voting machines, the council said during its meeting.

Council members approved several transfers presented by county staff. Auditor/finance staff (identified in testimony as Michelle) sought $5,000 transfers from county general fund accounts to cover work-release and sheriff overtime needs, a $3,000 transfer between other accounts, and a $15,000 transfer within the sheriff’s budget to cover costs tied to a recently approved mechanic position. The transfers were approved by motion; Kathy moved, Kim seconded, and the council voted to approve.

The council also approved a transfer of $219,797 from miscellaneous accounts to the county’s voting-equipment account so the county could pay the remaining balance on 200 newly received voting machines. Elections staff (Melissa) said the county had received 200 machines and planned a demonstration for council members early next year. The motion to fund the voting machines was moved by Lehi and seconded by Joe and carried by voice vote.

Jack Birch of the public defender’s office requested two budget adjustments. First, he sought a transfer of $26,000 from a $44,000 investigator line to cover supplies, books, court reporters and similar operating needs; he said the office never hired the investigator the original budget assumed. Second, Birch requested an additional appropriation from the general fund to pay five part‑time contract attorneys, which he said must be paid from the general fund under applicable statute and guidance. Birch described the second request as a large appropriation; the exact figure for that additional appropriation was described as “a big number” at the meeting and was not stated in the public remarks. Both public-defender requests were approved after motions on the floor.

Other routine items approved: the minutes from the prior meeting (a voice vote with Councilmember Dylan recorded as abstaining because he was absent from the prior meeting), committee updates and the consent to several smaller transfers that staff described as encumbrances from last year being applied to current purchases.

Council members did not change tax rates or adopt any new ordinances during the portions of the meeting that addressed transfers and appropriations; all votes described above were recorded as passed by voice vote or unanimous sign, with individual abstentions noted when stated.

Ending

Finance staff said the county will demonstrate the new voting equipment for council members so they can see the updated interfaces, and public-defender staff said the office plans to include the newly appropriated funding needs in next year’s budget. The meeting moved on to other agenda items after the budget votes.