St. Joseph County commissioners have approved a request to fill vacant hours in the Animal Control Department.
Undersheriff Mark Lillywhite said the department recently had a support assistant resign, leaving a void of 29 hours a week.
Lillywhite asked if 11 of those 29 hours could be reassigned to another part-time assistant position, which would make it a full-time job. In addition, Lillywhite proposed an additional 10 of the 29 hours be used to fill a Kennel Support staff position for weekend work.
He added that with some sheriff’s department positions not filled, the $18,000 incurred as a result of his plan would be negated and the proposals would not incur any additional expense to the county.
Board chairman Dennis Allen commended Lillywhite for developing such a creative plan. Commissioners approved both requests.