Steuben County Council approves $1.1M IDOC grant appropriation, jail classification software and several budget transfers

The Steuben County Council approved multiple funding actions during its Nov. 12, 2025 meeting, including appropriation of a $1,113,038 CY2026 IDOC Justice Reinvestment Grant and a $159,635 CY2026 Pretrial Services Grant for Fund No. 9144. Pam Feller and Brett Hays presented the Justice Reinvestment Grant package; Councilwoman Ruth Beer moved to appropriate the grant funds and the motion carried 7-0. Brett Hays also requested a $23,189.38 personnel-services transfer to use grant funds before year-end; that transfer passed 7-0.

Pam Feller told the council that "the probation funding has been cut by 20%," a change the council noted in its discussion of the grant submission. The council approved the Pretrial Services grant appropriation after staff clarified that line items and salaries were awarded at the same level as the previous period.

Sheriff Rodney Robinson requested $12,418 to purchase an inmate classification and housing software developed through counties in the Indiana Sheriff27s Association. Robinson said the system "removes the 'human error' and emotion from classification," uses a numeric-based assessment, and networks with other counties to share inmate history. The purchase covers a 14-month startup period for early adopters; annual maintenance is estimated at $3,960. Council approved the software purchase 7-0. Robinson also secured approval for two $30,000 overtime transfer requests for the Sheriff and Jail overtime lines (both approved 7-0).

Other budget actions approved 7-0 included additional appropriations to cover utility shortfalls (General Fund utilities $78,000; County Park utilities $7,500; Event Center utilities $2,500), an $8,632 transfer from Opioid Restricted Fund No. 1237 to the Community Foundation, a $288.18 transfer for public defender computer equipment, and appropriation of $14,002.86 in remaining pandemic grant funds (Fund 8903) for gasoline and travel for the Health Department.

Jay Curry (EMS Administrator) won approval for a $50,000 additional appropriation to cover part-time salaries and $6,265 to cover an Assistant Director/Training Director fund shortfall. Highway Engineer Chip Porter also received approval for appropriations to fund parts of the 2025 pay increase and to appropriate $15,357.06 in departmental fuel receipts. President Dan Caruso presented a Housing Optimizer Preconstruction Grant Program; Eric Prall was nominated and approved 7-0 as the council27s representative on that committee.

Votes at a glance: Additional Appropriation Resolution No. 11-2025-01 (approved), IDOC Justice Reinvestment Grant appropriation ($1,113,038) approved (7-0), Pretrial Services Grant appropriation ($159,635) approved (7-0), Sheriff inmate-classification software purchase ($12,418) approved (7-0), overtime transfers ($30,000 each) approved (7-0), opioid restricted funds transfer ($8,632) approved (7-0). Several routine items (minutes, 2026 meeting schedule, monthly financials) were also approved.

The council adjourned after handling the remaining business and setting the next salary ordinance readings for December.