COLUMBUS, Ind. — As budget talks go down to the wire in Bartholomew County, council members are asking commissioners for about $1.5 million to help balance the budget. About $500,000 from the telecommunications fund would go toward the purchase of radios and body cameras for the sheriff’s department. The $1 million would be used to “shore up” county finances according to commissioner Larry Kleinhenz.
Council members are looking to plug a hole in the budget that could be as big as $3.2 million. The proposed budget includes a 3 percent raise for county workers, and reducing the work week to 37.5 hours while continuing to pay employees for a 40-hour week.
The primary responsibilities of the commissioners are to maintain county-owned buildings and roads, and provide a safe and healthy work environment for county employees. Commissioners are concerned the request made by county council could make it difficult to fulfill those primary responsibilities.
Sheriff Matt Myers will receive one of three additional deputies he requested, 11 of 13 new cruisers he requested, and $37,000 to fund two part-time workers to serve civil papers.
This story will be updated.
