Council approves reclassification for Extension Office, creates lead maintenance post and budgets opioid funds for reentry court

Kosciusko County Council voted to approve a series of personnel and budget items at its meeting, including a job reclassification in the Extension Office, creation of a lead maintenance technician position, acceptance and budget allocation of $30,000 in opioid funds for probation’s reentry court, and a report approving $2,054,027.94 in encumbrances carried from 2024 into 2025.

Councilmembers moved and seconded each measure with brief discussion and no recorded roll-call tallies in the transcript; each motion was approved by voice vote (“all in favor, usual sign”).

The council approved reclassifying the Extension Office manager/4‑H administrative assistant from “Comet 4” to “Comet 3.” A presenter said the employee “handles a whole bunch of stuff,” including supporting educators, 4‑H families, newsletters, and club committees, and had updated her job description to reflect those duties. A motion to “approve the salary ordinance and transfer” was made by Kim and seconded by Kathy; the motion carried.

The council also authorized creation of a new lead maintenance technician position. Staff described the role as a first-line lead to oversee other maintenance workers, assign tasks, and monitor work orders. The new position would be paid at an “LTC 1” level; the presenter said the funding is available but requires a transfer. Dylan moved to approve the ordinance and transfer; Kim seconded and the motion carried.

Tammy Johnston, chief probation officer, told the council the county received $30,000 in opioid-related funds from the city of Warsaw and requested approval to budget that money for the reentry court. Johnston said the program currently has two participants and expects to increase that number once a recently hired staff member begins May 5. A motion by Kathy, seconded by Kim, to approve the request passed by voice vote.

Financial staff presented the encumbering report showing $2,054,027.94 in appropriations moved from 2024 to 2025; the council approved the encumbrance report on a motion by Kim, seconded by Dylan. The presenter said the packet includes details of the transfers.

The meeting record does not include a roll-call vote tally for these motions; the transcript records voice approvals only. No ordinances or resolution numbers were specified in the discussion recorded in the transcript.

Looking ahead, council members discussed committee assignments following the recent death of a member and noted upcoming Association of Indiana Counties district meetings on May 7 with optional training sessions.