St. Joseph County commissioners approve closure policy, contracts and grants; appointments confirmed

St. Joseph County commissioners on Jan. 28 approved a package of routine and substantive items including a new building and worksite closure policy, several contract renewals and grant application permissions, and multiple board and commission appointments.

The board adopted a written Building and Worksite Closure Policy that clarifies how hourly and salaried employees are compensated if the county declares a closure, and adds explicit guidance about remote work. "The county commissioners are the ones with the authority to declare emergencies and closures," said Pete Agustino, county legal counsel, who participated by Zoom and presented the policy. Under the policy, hourly (nonexempt) employees who are ready and willing to work but cannot report due to a county-ordered closure will be paid; salaried (exempt) employees remain entitled to pay for any week in which they perform work, consistent with the Fair Labor Standards Act, and would need to use paid time off if no work is done during a full closed workweek.

The board approved funding and procurement items for infrastructure and public safety operations, including permission to apply for the 2025 Community…