Kosciusko County approves shared mechanic position for sheriff and highway departments, adopts salary ordinance

Kosciusko County officials approved creating a shared garage mechanic position to provide in-house maintenance for sheriff’s vehicles and county highway equipment and approved a related salary ordinance and transfers.

Cathy Reed presented recommendations from the county wage committee, describing a mechanic position that would be shared between the sheriff’s office and the highway department. Committee materials presented at the meeting say the mechanic would be a highway employee whose primary responsibility would be maintenance of squad cars and other sheriff vehicles, and that the departments would establish a memorandum of understanding for shared use. The committee noted existing budgeted funds could be used to start the position immediately rather than waiting for next year’s budget.

Meeting discussion described several operational points: the sheriff’s fleet includes more than 75 vehicles; the highway department has a vehicle-reporting system the sheriff’s office can tap into for cost-analysis and maintenance history; and the position would reduce outsourcing and recurring per-vehicle service costs. Wage committee notes presented during the meeting list a proposed starting annual salary of $49,004.23 (LTC 3) and an additional $5,000 stipend for obtaining a commercial driver’s license (CDL). A motion by Joe, seconded by Rachel, approved the recommendation; the motion was recorded as including the salary ordinance and the transfers and was approved by the board’s customary voice vote.