Pictured, from left, are Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office Merit Board Members Shari Benyousky and Alan Alderfer, and KCSO Chief Deputy Chris McKeand. InkFreeNews photo by Liz Adkins.

By Liz Adkins
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office Merit Board discussed the hiring process for two merit deputy positions at KCSO during a meeting on Thursday, Sept. 12.

KCSO Public Information Officer Sgt. Doug Light said 23 individuals applied for jobs.

“That’s trended upward quite a bit,” said Light.

Sheriff Jim Smith said he’s hoping to have an executive session in October to fill the positions. Smith told the board he’s planning to ask the Kosciusko County Council for permission to have an additional deputy position for 2025.

KCSO is also looking at filling the animal control officer position, as Jeff Clark is retiring in early October. Smith said the office is keeping the position as merit and noted Corporal Kyle Denton had shown an interest in being an animal control officer.

The board heard Denton’s K9 is about a year away from retiring.

“We’re looking at this also as a way to prolong the life of the dog, possibly more part-time for the dog,” said Smith.

Smith said the animal control officer position in Kosciusko County is a very busy job.

In other business, Board Member Alan Alderfer provided a brief update on KCSO’s pension plan and said there will probably be more discussion on the topic during an executive session.

The board also welcomed Shari Benyousky, its newest member.

KCSO Merit Board’s next meeting is on Thursday, Oct. 10.