County commission considers hiring freeze exception for building and grounds head

The head of buildings and grounds for St. Joseph County is retiring next month, and county commissioners plan to discuss how to fill the position.

During Wednesday’s executive committee meeting, commissioners were told that Tim Hochstetler will be stepping down at the end of March. County administrator Teresa Doehring said she has looked at trying to get creative in how some of Hochstetler’s duties could be delegated elsewhere.

Doehring said the more she researched the options, however, the more she realized it was simply too critical of a position to not fill.

Doehring asked that commissioners consider making an exception to the county’s hiring freeze and allow her to find a replacement.

The matter will appear on the agenda of Tuesday’s commission meeting.