County clerk asks to hire deputy clerk

It appears a request for help from St. Joseph County Clerk Lindsay Oswald will be put on hold by county commissioners.

During Wednesday’s executive committee meeting, Oswald asked commissioners to consider allowing her to hire a deputy clerk. She acknowledged the poor timing of the request, but the need for help in the clerk’s office is significant, she said.

Oswald said the register of deeds office is insufficiently staffed currently and the number of concealed-pistol license requests has significantly increased over the summer.

Oswald said specifically, help is needed with vital records, an area currently served by a staff of two people.

Board chairman Dennis Allen said he would struggle to support Oswald’s request when the county is taking a number of unprecedented steps toward money-saving measures.

Commissioner Kathy Pangle said she would prefer to wait and see how the county’s fiscal year unfolds before making a hiring decision. Meanwhile, commissioner Dan Czajkowski said he has no doubt Oswald and her staff is working with as bare bones of a crew as possible. But, he added, the benefit of time, for now, might be a prudent course of action.

Commissioner Al Balog said commissioners have an obligation to provide the county’s employees the help they need to maintain the same level of service the public has grown accustomed to receiving.