To save Kosciusko County money, county treasurer Kent Adams reduced the staff in the treasurer's office from 6-1/2 full-time-equivalent positions to 4-1/2.

"The office is moving along well now," said Adams Monday. "We've got a good staff and we're working hard."

Coming into the county treasurer's office, Adams said, he had 20 years of finance experience. At Goshen Schools from 1972-1985, he handled finances. From 1985 to 1988, he was at School City Mishawaka. In 1988, he ran for the Indiana General Assembly, won, and took a position at Warsaw Schools as the director of finance.

By 1990, he had 31 years in public schools so he retired, taking a job in the private sector in finance at Dalton Corp. He worked there from 1990 to 2002. He also was a school building principal in 1963 and was a trooper with the Indiana State Police.

After winning the treasurer's post in the 2004 election, with his experience in tow, Adams said, he wanted to look at the whole treasurer's office operation and start from ground zero. When someone new enters a business or office, they bring new ideas and ways of looking at things, he said.

The treasurer's office in 2004 included six full-time positions and one permanent part-time position. Before the end of 2004, one of the women left the office.

With Adams' takeover, the only staff who returned was Karen Thomas, who has 24 years of experience in the office, he said. Adams brought back Cindy Nolton, who had six previous years of experience in the treasurer's office. Adams, Thomas and Nolton now are the only full-time positions. Instead of having three other full-time positions, Adams said, he made them three part-time positions.

"We've gone from 6-1/2 to 4-1/2. We've reduced the office staff by two full-positions, which will result in savings," said Adams.

Along the way, Adams said, if his office sees a need, they could add staff, but for now, "we are making it work."

Of the part-time workers, Adams said, one of them worked in the treasurer's office previously for two years and now returned, handling bankruptcies and mortgages. Another part-timer worked in the Warsaw area with financial and payroll matters. The third part-time employee was hired after attending Fort Wayne International Business College.

In the spring and fall, four additional part-time workers still will be brought in as has been done in the past to deal with tax payments.

"Those four people will be returning," said Adams.

One advantage Adams said his office has is his contacts at the state level, since he was a state senator. He has worked with the State Department of Local Government and Finance and "I know the lay of the land," he said.

But when people ask Adams if he misses Indianapolis, he says he doesn't. He spent 16 years there and never planned on making a career out of it. His health is good, but he didn't want to be carried out from the job. He doesn't have to drive 40,000 miles a year back and forth to work, he can now walk to work. He doesn't have the phone calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week. He receives less mail and doesn't have to deal with nine different newspapers a day. Plus, he has fewer speaking engagements and can spend more time with his 16 grandchildren.

"The bottom line is, it's nice to be back in the community," said Adams.

He also said he is more than willing to answer any questions from the public.

"I say to the public, we'll be open and will answer any questions, but they need to be asked." [[In-content Ad]]