Parks stipend fails, council debates county-wide bonuses after fiscal surplus; amended appropriation passes

The St. Joseph County Council on Tuesday rejected a parks department proposal for a one-time stipend to employees and discussed broader proposals for employee bonuses after the auditor reported higher-than-expected 2025 revenues.

Steve Slauson, executive director of the St. Joseph County Parks Department, presented Bill 4-26 asking the council to authorize a one-time stipend for full‑ and part‑time parks employees. He said the funds would come from the parks levy and that the appropriation needed would be about $18,086. When asked, Slauson confirmed the parks cash balance at the end of last year was about $1,470,000 and that the appropriation would require an additional appropriation.

Several council members said they dislike ad hoc bonuses outside the budget process. Councilmember Figg said government employees ordinarily receive raises in the budget cycle and expressed discomfort with bonuses. Auditor Murphy told the council the county closed 2025 with net revenue exceeding expenditures by approximately $11,700,000, citing interest, supplemental local income tax and underspending by departments.

Councilmember Schaetzl said he intended to propose an ordinance to provide $1,000 bonuses to full‑time county employees earning under $100,000 and $500 to part‑time employees, arguing fairness given the year without raises. After debate, the motion to approve the parks stipend (Bill 4-26) failed on a 4–5 record vote.

Separately, the council addressed Bill 1-26 (an omnibus appropriation and transfer measure). A motion to approve the bill as presented initially failed 6–3 because of uncertainty about Part C. Councilmember Figg then moved to approve parts A and B only; that motion passed by voice and was recorded as passing 9–0, effectively approving Bill 1-26 without Part C.

Next steps: Parks director Slauson will note council feedback; Councilmember Schaetzl said he will draft his bonus ordinance for future consideration, and county staff will implement the amended Bill 1-26 appropriations.