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Work release inmates in Kosciusko County soon will see higher minimum rates.
Tuesday, the Kosciusko County Commissioners approved the new weekly fee schedule presented by Kosciusko County Work Release Center Director Tom Kitch. Also approved was an increase of the minimum fee from $70 to $100 and a one-time charge per each admission for inmates who don't live or work in Kosciusko County.
Inmates in work release for less than six months will pay $200. Inmates in the program for more than six months will pay $400.
Those working out of the jail for wages will pay $10 per day for each day worked, with minimum fee of $100. If an inmate has a gross income of $350 to $399, the fee will be $100. An inmate with a gross income of $400 to $449 will pay $110. An inmate with a gross income of $2,900 to $2,949 will pay $610.
Kitch said there is built-in protection for the inmate that allows only a percentage of income to be taken in by the county.
In another matter, county clerk Marsha McSherry asked the commissioners to approve the purchase of a new filing system. The new system will reduce the 48 file cabinets in her office to one file cabinet.
In July, McSherry first made the request but the county commissioners did not have the funds available in the office equipment account at that time, and told her to return in September.
According to an estimate McSherry gave in July, the new system will cost approximately $12,000.
"I was very impressed with what can be done (with the new system)," Commissioner Avis Gunter said. The commissioners unanimously approved McSherry's request and will pay a portion of the costs of the filing system.
In other business, County Administrator Ron Robinson said:
• Work on the new dispatch center in the Justice Building will begin today.
• Warsaw has agreed to patrol county parking lots and issue citations to unauthorized vehicles.
• The Animal Welfare League board of directors will meet with Robinson, Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine and animal control officer Jerry Clase today.
• County employees can receive their flu shots Oct. 5 from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
