County turns down probation officers’ request for raises following Reedy recommenation
This post was provided by News Now Warsaw
David Slone
Times-Union
WARSAW — Hopes by the probation department to give its overloaded officers a competitive wage for 2025 were dashed Thursday night by the Kosciusko County Council after receiving advice from the county’s financial consultant.
The probation department, along with Superior Court II Judge Torrey Bauer, appeared before the council on May 8 seeking an additional appropriation of $189,293.80 for 2025 to cover the increase of wages for each probation officer for this year.
Human Resource Director Cathy Reed told the council the request would be covered by user fees. A market rate analysis conducted by the Probation Officers Professional Association of Indiana showed Kosciusko County’s probation officers were underpaid.
Probation officers told the council it was difficult to hire and retain probation officers at the current salary.
As of the May 8 meeting, there were 1,682 people on probation in Kosciusko County with three juvenile officers and nine adult officers available to handle the cases.
On Thursday, additional appropriations for increases to the probation officers’ salaries for 2025, totaling $189,325, along with the salary ordinance amendments for those salaries, went before the county council for their approval.
Council President Tony Ciriello said, “This was approved by the council at last month’s meeting, pending approval by Reedy Financial Group, who is our financial adviser. And within the last few days, we did receive correspondence from them.”
Council Vice President Kathy Groninger, who serves on the county wage committee, read the letter from Reedy to members of the wage committee.
In the letter, Reedy Financial Group consultant Tyler Lewis says, “Reedy Financial Group has reviewed high-level information provided by the county regarding the probation department’s request for wage increases.
According to the proposal, which reflects POPAI wage recommendations, the suggested increases range from approximately 16% to 22%, depending on years of service. In any year, this would represent a significant budgetary impact, and it is especially important to consider the implications as we approach fiscal year 2026.”
The letter recommends a “cautious and sustainable” approach to the request and lists four factors the county should consider.
The first factor is Senate Bill 1, signed into law on April 15, which introduces “substantial changes that are expected to reduce property tax revenues.” There will be increased deductions on Homestead and 2% property classifications as the bill phases in. There is also the introduction of a 10% Homestead property tax credit.
The second factor is the “potential for additional legislative changes in the coming years” that remain uncertain.
The third factor, according to Reedy, is that “probation user fees may not always be able to sustain a balance that would support the wage increases, shifting full financial responsibility for funding to the county.”
And the last factor cited by Reedy is “wage adjustments are permanent and reversing increases is generally not a viable or practical option.”
The letter concludes by stating, “While the county’s current financial position remains strong, it is essential to continue making prudent, long-term fiscal decisions. RFG also advises that this raise request could set a bad precedent and have a negative effect on other employees. In sum, RFG advises that the raise request is not prudent and that the council deny the raise request as presented. Lastly, we recommend that employee raises be considered as a whole during the budgetary process when more information is available and a more informed decision can be made.”
Ciriello then said approval for the raises was made in May, with the caveat that it would be reviewed by Reedy. He said Reedy’s recommendation was that the raises were not sustainable and they would not recommend the county go forward with them.
Councilman DeLynn Geiger made a motion to deny the probation officers’ additional salaries for 2025, and Councilman Joe Irwin seconded the motion. It passed 6-1, with Councilwoman Kimberly Cates opposed.
Cates also sits on the county’s wage committee.
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