County approves $567,899 appropriation to cover public defender payroll through year

Kosciusko County approved an additional appropriation of $567,899 to cover payroll for the public defender’s office and an accompanying amendment to the county salary ordinance. Jack, representing the public defender’s office, requested the funds to ensure staff are paid through the end of the year. Jack said the cash is already in the public defender’s fund and that he and county staff are still working with auditors to finalize budget accounting. Commissioners approved the appropriation and the salary ordinance amendment after a motion by Commissioner Kim and a second by Commissioner Kathy. County staff Jeff said he will meet with the auditors the following morning to work through the budget details and that additional appropriations for operating budgets are likely to return to the August meeting. Jack said the $567,899 figure is his best estimate for payroll coverage; staff indicated they will come back with more detailed requests after meeting the auditors. Discussion versus decision: commissioners took formal action to approve the appropriation and salary ordinance amendment. Staff and Jack discussed that the figure is an estimate and that further adjustments may be necessary after the audit meeting. Ending: Commissioners approved the request to ensure payroll continuity and asked staff to follow up with more detailed budget work in August.