The Fourth Commissioner?

When the Kosciusko County Commissioners approved a new "floating holiday" policy last year for county workers, the three elected officials were asked who came up with the proposal.

Without a word, all three heads turned toward Ron Robinson, who sat on the end of the table in the old courtroom where public meetings are conducted.

In almost four years since assuming the role as the county's first director of personnel, Robinson has seen a lot of heads turn his way for advice, direction and support.

Ten years ago, the idea of a personnel director in Kosciusko County government was a dirty word. Back then it was viewed with cynicism from those who believed it would take away from authority of elected officials and add another costly level of bureaucracy.

But since the position was quietly established, officials wonder how they ever got along without it.

The position pays for itself through savings achieved by Robinson, whose duties include negotiating for better insurance agreements, officials said.

"There's no question he's a big asset to the county," said commissioner Brad Jackson.

"He's a wealth of information."

The position is part of a trend in recent years. About nine other counties in the state have established similar jobs.

Robinson's role is wide ranging. In addition to shopping for insurance, he oversees almost all personnel matters, works with vendors who provide supplies for the county, has a key voice in setting policies and salaries, and one other stipulation contained at the end of his contract - he serves at the discretion of the commissioners.

He sits in on all commissioners' meetings and is easily the most important non-elected official in county government.

But he bristles at the thought that he's the unofficial "fourth commissioner."

"That's been said. Believe me, I'm not. Those three people can make those decisions," Robinson said.

Some of the initiatives he's undertaken have pleased workers as well as the general public.

Robinson's strongest attribute is his rapport with county workers, according to commissioner Avis Gunter, who has worked in the courthouse for nearly two dozen years.

Having Robinson available on a daily basis means employees who have questions or concerns can readily get help through somebody who has a direct line to the commissioners, Gunter said.

Part of the job is keeping an open mind toward change.

The floating holiday proposal, which eliminated Columbus Day and Presidents Day as paid holidays for county employees, allows workers to take a paid day off on other holidays, such as Martin Luther King Day or Yom Kippur, a Jewish holiday.

The policy also keeps county offices open two more days than in the past.

"I enjoy helping our employees. It's a different lifestyle than I was used to," Robinson said.

Robinson, 51, began his work for the county 28 years ago with the sheriff's department after working four years in his hometown with the Syracuse Police Department.

He served as captain in the sheriff's department for eight years before being elected sheriff in 1988. Although he could have sought re-election, he chose not to and returned to his job as captain.

The transition from police to personnel was somewhat easy because much of the work he did as captain involved personnel issues, he said.

It was also a nice change for a family man whose job entailed being on call 24 hours a day.

Robinson's office is located on the third floor of the courthouse in a room that had been used for The office includes a large desk refurbished by jail inmates and a bookshelf constructed by inmates.

Ironically, Robinson's secretary, Nanette Newland, worked in the same office space years ago as a secretary for the first Superior Court Judge, Alan Rasor, before courtrooms were moved into the justice building.

After settling into his office, Robinson noticed an annoying inconvenience for people using the courthouse. Moving the area plan office to the third floor next to the health department seemed logical for people needing new septic systems and planning subdivisions who often need to work with both. Before, they had to make trips from the basement to the third floor and sometimes back to the basement.

The change is a simple improvement toward customer service, Robinson said.

Robinson is also involved on a committee that is phasing in merit pay for some employees.

Sometimes, Robinson's impact is a bit more subtle. Three of the newest hirings include people with bilingual skills helpful in serving a growing Hispanic community.