The Marshall County Council members took time to revisit a request Thursday night made by Superior Court No. 3 Judge Matthew Sarber concerning an increase of permitted hours of the Program Director (Drug Court Coordinator) and full-time employee annual hours to 1,820, and permit the payment of a $5,000 stipend from Department of Corrections grant funds to the Drug Court Coordinator.
The request was tabled from the council’s December meeting.
Judge Sarber previously stated that the stipend was requested through the Department of Corrections through the grant process for the tremendous work for that employee. It was approved after discussion with the council in October, but rescinded during the approval of the 2023 Salary Ordinance in November.
Councilman James Masterson clarified that the stipend comes from the state and it could not be applied throughout the county to other positions.
Councilman Tim Harman said the judge presented the request well and thought that it mirrors the same type of practice with the bi-lingual interpreter in the court system.
Councilwoman Nicole Cox said she conducted research and since the previous council approved it she thought it was “black and white” at that point.
The council approved Judge Sarber’s request as presented. Both items were included in the Salary Ordinance that was amended by the council later in the meeting.
