County commission expects to approve new deputies

St. Joseph County commissioners are expected to approve the hiring of two new sheriff’s department deputies.

Commissioners during Wednesday’s executive committee meeting recommended a request from Undersheriff Mark Lillywhite, who was seeking an exception to the county’s hiring freeze in order to fill two spots created by a pair of resignations.

Commissioners agreed to the request but also planned to advise Lillywhite that the matter won’t be officially approved until the board’s July 16 meeting. Commissioners Wednesday decided to cancel their July 2 regularly scheduled meeting.

The positions were previously held by Josh Allabach and Chad Wilson. Allabach went to work for the village of Mendon and Wilson took a job with the police force in his out-of-county community of residence.

Once the positions are filled, the agency will be back to full strength with 14 road patrol deputies, not counting contract agreements.