The Marshall County Commissioners met for the first meeting of 2024 Tuesday morning where they took action to reorganize. A motion was unanimously approved to keep Stan Klotz as president and Michael Burroughs as vice president of the board.
They also unanimously agreed to retain the following department heads: Courthouse Buildings and Grounds Supervisor Doug Masterson, Marshall County Jail Maintenance Director John Greer, Veteran Service Officer (VSO) Pam Schweizer-Betz, Marshall County Weights and Measures Director Jerry Huss, Information Technology (IT) Director Michael Marshall, Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Jack Garner, Marshall County Museum Director Sandy Garrison, Human Resources Administrator Jennifer Daake, Marshall County Highway Superintendent Jason Peters, and Marshall County Attorney Jim Clevenger.
The commissioners did hire a new building commissioner with the recent resignation of Steve Howard. After interviewing four candidates for the position, the commissioners selected Chuck Garman as the best candidate as the new building commissioner.
Commission President Stan Klotz noted that Garman is Commissioner Burroughs’ son-in-law. While that is viewed as nepotism, Klotz explained that it is not nepotism as Garman would not be reporting to a specified individual. He will be working for the board as a whole but addressing Klotz or Overmyer concerning any issues. He went on to say that out of the individuals interviewed Garman was the best candidate, to which Overmyer agreed.
The official motion and vote to hire Garman as the building commissioner involved only Klotz and Overmyer. Garman will begin work next week.
During the commissioners’ meeting December 29, they approved an amended nepotism policy for the county. It states that in accordance with Indiana Code (I.C. 36-1-20.2-9) “…the county establishes requirements that are more stringent or details in that any person on a board or commission that has employed a relative shall avoid any discussions, decisions, or contact with the employee relative and said person shall make and take all necessary steps to screen said person from any said supervision of the relative employee.” The same will be expected of the relative employee.
