Drain commissioner a full-time job

Talks about the position of county drain commissioner becoming a full-time job have gained momentum in recent weeks.

The matter was discussed during last week’s executive committee of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners, who appear to be in favor of upping the post to a 40-hour-a-week job.

Current Drain Commissioner Jeff Wenzel has long lobbied for the job to be a full-time position. The concept is slated to be discussed by county commission members during their Tuesday meeting.

Wenzel is assigned to 28 hours a week, but he has long said the amount of work undertaken by the drain commissioner warrants an additional 12 hours.

Wenzel’s current salary is more than $33,000 a year.