Elkhart County Council approves personnel-policy changes, two library reappointments and a package of appropriations

The Elkhart County Council voted on June 19 to adopt updates to the county personnel policy manual, reappoint two public-library trustees and approve a wide set of additional appropriations and transfers affecting county operations and capital projects.

Council adopted ordinance CC2025-13 to amend the Elkhart County government personnel policy and standard procedures manual. County Attorney Steve Olson summarized changes including clarifications that employees are "at-will" unless under a specific contract, updates to workplace-violence and weapons-in-the-workplace provisions, a new anti-bullying policy, adjustments to leave and bereavement rules, and a change raising the per-night lodging threshold from $200 to $250 for hotel costs that previously required commissioner approval. The ordinance passed 7-0.

In separate votes the council reappointed James Rickoff to the Elkhart Public Library Board of Trustees and Ruth Metcalfe to the Goshen Public Library Board, each for four-year terms ending in June 2029; both reappointments passed unanimously.

The body then considered a block of additional appropriations and transfers across departments. Highlights include: - Treasurer: $18,352 from the general fund to cover higher-than-budgeted postage and printing for tax bills after a state requirement led to mailing $0-balance notices; approved 7-0. - Planning & Development: $87,500 from the general fund to contract with Mosier Consultant Group to address GIS…