At the end of Thursday night's county council meeting, county councilman Tom Anglin read a letter from councilwoman Charlene Knispel announcing that she won't seek a third term as first district representative.
"I've been with the county for 39 years in different capacities," said Knispel after the meeting. "I started as a township trustee then became assessor and auditor and now I'm on the county council. The time is right."
The first district consists of Turkey Creek, Tippecanoe and parts of Washington townships.
The deadline to file for a candidate is Friday at noon. Doug Heinich (R) is the only candidate that has filed for Knispel's seat as of this morning.
Knispel will serve out her term, which ends in January.In other county news, Sheriff Rocky Goshert notified the council that he is close to hiring two new deputies.
While the county remains under a hiring freeze, Goshert was given permission to hire two new deputies.
Goshert is replacing Sgt. Jeff Shaw, who died while on duty in November, and Billy Fields, who is switching departments to be closer to his hometown of Kendallvlle.
Goshert said pending some paperwork he'll announce the two new deputies next week.
Goshert also said he will provide the council with information on calls received and the breakdowns by deputies.
Goshert said his department saw 2,000 more calls last month as compared to 2009.
Goshert also mentioned that all sheriff's department officers work 8.5-hour shifts with the extra half hour being unpaid.
Finally, Goshert told the council that his department will look to increase its policing of meth labs and activity.
Goshert said that Kosciusko County was ranked sixth in the state for meth arrests.
The sheriff's department will focus more on trying to catch mobile meth labs, Goshert said.
The council approved two transfer request by Goshert of $1,252.93 and $2,090.88 from reimbursement insurance to repairs and maintenance.
The transfers are a result of two accidents involving deputies where the deputies' vehicles were struck while on duty.
County Administrator Ron Robinson asked for and received a transfer of $31,310 from maintenance supervisor to part-time maintenance.
County Clerk Jason McSherry requested and was given permission by the council to replace a small claims clerk. Lois Farrington, a clerk with the county for eight years, passed away last week.
Marsha McSherry, county auditor, said the county has received both County Option Income Tax and Economic Development Income Tax funds and that the rainy day fund is just more than $5 million.
The council will next meet March 11 at 7 p.m. in the old courtroom.
Council president Harold Jones and councilman Brad Tandy were absent from Thursday night's meeting.
