Commissioners approve hirings
GREENCASTLE -- The Putnam County Commissioners approved the filling of three part-time positions in three county offices at Monday's meeting.
Kathy VanArsdale of the microfilm department, Sheriff Steve Fenwick and Recorder Opal Sutherlin all approached the commission about new hires to fill vacant positions.
Sutherlin had been working part time in VanArsdale's office, but resigned upon being elected recorder. The position works two days a week at a rate of $126 per week.
The sheriff's department is approved to have two full-time cooks and two part-time cooks, but has been operating with the two full-time and just one part-time for a while. However, they have let the part-time cook go, and one of the full-time cooks is going on leave.
"We're given two part-time and we never did hire the other because we were getting by. But now we need the other," Fenwick said.
Sutherlin said she was not planning to hire another part-time deputy this soon, however, she has an upcoming conference and training that will take her out of the office. The position will need to be filled soon to ensure adequate training for the new hire before the conference.
The board also approved property acquisitions for two county bridges. Five parcels around Bridge 146 (Houck Iron Bridge) were purchased for a total of $19,600. For Bridge 10 in Russell Township, four parcels were purchased for $24,275.
The commissioners also re-elected Gene Beck as commission president and Kristina Warren as vice president.