Elkhart County Attorney Steve Olson said the Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an ordinance on Dec. 1, 2025, to amend the county's personnel policy and standard procedures manual.

"Before us is the ordinance adopting amendment to the Elkhart County governmental personal personnel policy and standard procedures manual," Olson said, then summarized the main changes "just briefly for awareness of the public and the press." He told the board the revisions convert the document into a manual, clarify several policy sections, and add new sections to comply with state law.

Olson identified several substantive adjustments. He said the policy language now explicitly recognizes independent contractors "not being employees" under state and federal law and removes a final-paycheck questionnaire because the county now issues final pay by direct deposit. He also cited minor updates involving lunch breaks and approval of time cards, and said sections 4.05 and 4.13 were added to comply with new Indiana law.

An unidentified meeting member moved to approve the ordinance; the motion was seconded and the board voted in favor. The transcript records the motion carrying unanimously.

The ordinance will be incorporated into the county's personnel manual as presented; the transcript does not specify an effective date or further implementation steps.