WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Council met Monday, Aug. 21, for the first in a series of hearings for the 2018 budget.

Under the sheriff’s budget, Sheriff Rocky Goshert reported that an increase in the jail budget request is due to the fact that the jail population has “skyrocketed.” In addition, Goshert explained, they have added three female work release officers due to the new female work release program.

Comment was made pertaining to the sheriff’s department gas and oil budget, which was set when gas prices were higher. Goshert acknowledged that unless gas prices skyrocket, there will be a surplus in that account.

Goshert called on 911 Assistant Director Sarah Lancaster to explain the budget increase for the Emergency Telephone System 911 Fund. Lancaster said the increase is partially due to group insurance since she has employees that did not have insurance before and now they do. She said this also includes training costs.

Regarding the court budget, Judge David Cates stated that case load numbers are up. He explained that since the time he took over two and a half years ago, juvenile filings in his court are up 21 percent, civil filings are up 81 percent and criminal felony filings are up 100 percent.

“They’ve doubled in two and a half years,” Cates reported, adding, “My staff does an excellent job of helping me move cases along. I couldn’t do it without them. They do a tremendous job.”

Wage increases for county employees were discussed. Kosciusko County Commissioner Ron Truex asked to speak at the end of the meeting. True said,  “I echo the comments made earlier by Sue Ann Mitchell and Judge Cates – we are very fortunate to have the elected officials we have that work so hard for the taxpayers of this county. Hopefully we can give a wage increase the size of which we haven’t given for several years because our employees deserve it.”

The next hearing will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25, in the county courthouse. The budget is set for adoption during the next county council regular meeting Thursday, Sept. 14.