County approves salary ordinance changes, including $5,000 probation retention bonus

The Kosciusko County Council on Jan. 8 approved multiple salary-ordinance amendments, including a retention stipend for probation officers and classification changes across county offices.

The council approved a $5,000 retention bonus for probation officers who remain employed from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2026. The transcript records that one position — the reentry-court coordinator — was removed from eligibility because that post is fully grant‑funded. County officials emphasized the retention bonuses will be paid from the adult probation user fee fund, not from general taxpayer funds.

Separately, the council approved a housekeeping‑supervisor classification change (creating/retitling a full‑time housekeeping supervisor at LTC 42 with a salary listed as $45,630, retroactive to Jan. 1) and a $500 transfer from a maintenance part‑time line to cover the position. Melissa also requested and received approval to reclassify a supervisor position to a deputy in her office because staffing and space changes made a supervisor role unnecessary.

During roll call for the salary ordinance tied to probation retention, the transcript records the result as 4 yes, 2 no, with John Barrett abstaining; the chair confirmed the ordinance passed. Council members and judges in attendance spoke in support of probation staff and recognized the job's demands.

Officials noted that distribution of the retention payments is contingent on continuous employment through the specified period and that employees leaving before Dec. 31 would forfeit the bonus.