Commissioners handle personnel matters

St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners approved nine personnel matters Tuesday.
Joshua Simmons was hired as deputy equalization director at a rate of $55,000 a year. Also hired were Valerie Casterline as deputy county clerk/elections specialist at $17 an hour, and Melissa Patch, who was brought aboard as a part-time deputy register of deeds at a rate of $14 an hour.
The board accepted the termination of Joel Schroeder and resignations of Anita Lopez-Schlabach and Stacy Griffin.
Also, a change in pay to $55,600 annually was granted for parks and recreation director Jaymes MacDonald; Trenton Thaxton was named full-time telecommunicator at $17 an hour; and Virginia Trattles will work full time in the finance department rather than three-quarters time plus one-quarter time with register of deeds.