Council approves multiple staffing replacements amid hiring-freeze concerns
January 21, 2026 | Grant County, Indiana
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Grant County Council approved a series of personnel actions on motions and voice votes after presentations from officeholders about staffing pressures and operational impacts.
Prosecutor Scott Hunt asked the council to replace a part-time deputy prosecutor who resigned and to pre-approve replacing a secretary who will retire at month'end; Mr. Caddell moved and Mr. Fleming seconded the motion to approve the request and the council voted "Aye" and carried the motion.
Rhonda Wiley, Craig County assessor, asked to refill a vacancy in her office so the assessor's office could hire immediately; Mr. McCourt moved to approve filling the vacancy, the motion was seconded and carried.
Jerry Truk, speaking for the public defender office, described recruiting and caseload challenges: he said public defenders were paid approximately $55,000 under local arrangements while deputy prosecutors earn roughly $80,000, which affects recruitment and the office's capacity to move cases. The council approved replacing one budgeted public defender vacancy after discussion about caseloads, hiring freezes and the practical effects on jail population and case movement.
Council members cautioned that the county has a hiring freeze and that state legislation ("Senate Bill 1," as mentioned in discussion) has affected county revenues and could force difficult budget decisions; several members said they were comfortable approving currently budgeted positions but urged caution going forward.
Votes at a glance:
- Prosecutor office replacements: motion moved by Mr. Caddell, seconded by Mr. Fleming; outcome: approved by voice vote (SEG 298'316).
- Assessor vacancy refill (Craig County assessor): motion moved by Mr. McCourt; outcome: approved by voice vote (SEG 382'481).
- Public defender vacancy: council authorized replacement of one budgeted public defender vacancy after discussion; outcome: approved by voice vote (SEG 826'1321).
The meeting record shows motions passed on voice votes; the council did not record individual roll-call tallies in the transcript excerpt.
Prosecutor Scott Hunt asked the council to replace a part-time deputy prosecutor who resigned and to pre-approve replacing a secretary who will retire at month'end; Mr. Caddell moved and Mr. Fleming seconded the motion to approve the request and the council voted "Aye" and carried the motion.
Rhonda Wiley, Craig County assessor, asked to refill a vacancy in her office so the assessor's office could hire immediately; Mr. McCourt moved to approve filling the vacancy, the motion was seconded and carried.
Jerry Truk, speaking for the public defender office, described recruiting and caseload challenges: he said public defenders were paid approximately $55,000 under local arrangements while deputy prosecutors earn roughly $80,000, which affects recruitment and the office's capacity to move cases. The council approved replacing one budgeted public defender vacancy after discussion about caseloads, hiring freezes and the practical effects on jail population and case movement.
Council members cautioned that the county has a hiring freeze and that state legislation ("Senate Bill 1," as mentioned in discussion) has affected county revenues and could force difficult budget decisions; several members said they were comfortable approving currently budgeted positions but urged caution going forward.
Votes at a glance:
- Prosecutor office replacements: motion moved by Mr. Caddell, seconded by Mr. Fleming; outcome: approved by voice vote (SEG 298'316).
- Assessor vacancy refill (Craig County assessor): motion moved by Mr. McCourt; outcome: approved by voice vote (SEG 382'481).
- Public defender vacancy: council authorized replacement of one budgeted public defender vacancy after discussion; outcome: approved by voice vote (SEG 826'1321).
The meeting record shows motions passed on voice votes; the council did not record individual roll-call tallies in the transcript excerpt.
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