Last year, the Kosciusko County Council approved for county Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine to apply for grants for two new patrolmen.

Now the county isn't so sure they can afford the two new patrolmen due to economic woes, even with the grant money.

The county budgeted for the new patrolmen, but did not approve a salary ordinance at that time.

The grant would pay for 75 percent of each of the two patrolmen's salary for the remainder of this year until July of next year; 50 percent the following year; and 25 percent the third year. A patrolman's annual salary is approximately $35,000. After the third year, the county would have to pay for all of the salaries. The county also would be responsible for other expenses related to the new employees, such as benefits.

Thursday, Rovenstine was before the county council for approval of the grants. He told the council the county has 90 days from June 1 to accept the grant.

However, councilman Larry Teghtmeyer said the wage committee reviewed this matter and due to budget constraints, the committee didn't feel it was "prudent" to add any new positions. The committee needs to review the matter again because of "new information" committee members didn't have when they reviewed it.

Members of the committee include Teghtmeyer, councilman Brad Tandy, who was absent at Thursday's meeting, and county commissioner Brad Jackson.

Rovenstine said during the last four years, the county "got the jail staff up to speed" but now they need to increase the number of patrolmen, detectives, etc., because when people call the sheriff's department, they want to talk to an actual officer. If they don't get more officers to help county residents, Rovenstine said, they always could begin directing the calls to the county councilmen. As more mandates come from the government due to Homeland Security, Rovenstine said, the county could expect the need to hire more.

"It's what's going to happen whether you do it now or later," he said.

"I think the right thing to do is to table it so the wage committee can discuss this," said Teghtmeyer.

Rovenstine requested to meet with the wage committee so he can present the matter to them. If the council doesn't approve the grant at its August meeting, he's done. "You've effectively killed it," he said.

The issue was tabled to the council's Aug. 14 meeting.

In another matter, the nonprofit organizations presented their 2004 requests to the county council.

For 2004, the Kosciusko County 4-H is asking for an estimated $49,948. Kosciusko Development Inc. is proposing the commissioners fund $80,000 for them in 2004. Cardinal Center's proposal for 2004 is $110,000, an increase of $15,000 to help fund Sus Amigos. Home Health Care is requesting $50,000, for the third straight year. The Kosciusko County Historical Society is asking for $23,000 in 2004. The Beaman Home is requesting $34,000. Other agencies and their requests include Kosciusko Council on Aging and Aged, $40,000; St. Joe River Basin, $500; Arrow Head RC&I, $500; and Combined Community Services, $20,000.

Requests for 2004 total $477,248, compared to $381,071 in 2003 and $248,170 in 1994.

The council did not deny or approve any of the requests at this time. They will review the requests and make a decision during the budget meetings in August. The Kosciusko County commissioners already were presented the requests at their June 17 meeting, and any monies approved by the council for the non-profits will be a part of the commissioners' budget.

Items approved by the county council included:

• Budget reduction request by prosecutor Steve Hearn to decrease the appropriation for a part-time prosecutor by $12,000, being funded by the diversion account. Start-up date for the employee was April 8 and there was part-time money in the prosecutor's regular budget.

• Transfer of $19,300 to the health department's group insurance account. Changes in employees insurance status caused an increase in insurance expenditures.

• Transfer of $2,100 to the county treasurer's overtime account. Due to the treasurer's office efforts to get tax bills sent out and the posting of payments, overtime was accumulated and the transfer was necessary to pay for that overtime.

• Transfer of $3,000 to the auditor's overtime account. Overtime is needed by the department to meet deadlines so fall tax bills can be issued on time.

• Transfer of $16,395.97 from the maintenance department's housekeeping account to its part-time account. According to county administrator Ron Robinson, the department has two full-time vacancies, but the department is using part-time help at this time, and the transfer will help cover that expense.

• Transfer of $1,160 to Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department Deputy John Tyler's payroll account as he was promoted to corporal.

Members of the Kosciusko County Council are Harold Jones, Tom Anglin, John Kinsey, Larry Teghtmeyer, Charlene Knispel, Maurice Beer and Brad Tandy. They meet at 7 p.m. in the county courthouse on the second Thursday of every month. [[In-content Ad]]