County considers helping high schoolers

This year’s high school freshmen face new work-based learning requirements from the Indiana Department of Education to receive readiness seals with their diplomas.

Commissioner Jeff Plasterer said during the commissioners’ April 22 meeting that as one of the county’s largest employers, Wayne County government needs to understand the requirements and consider how it can help students. Shawntel Baker, the director of employer engagement at the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce, spoke during the meeting that included county department heads and elected officials.

Baker, whose position is funded by Wayne County’s schools, works with school contacts and employers to connect students with work-based learning opportunities. Depending on a student’s path, a freshman this year could need 75, 150 or even 650 hours of work-based learning prior to graduation. Terming the opportunities “work-based learning” leaves room for employers to design and students to discover opportunities most useful for them.

Employers post their opportunities in a portal, and students find what interests them. Students fill out applications, are interviewed and receive offers. Baker said 34 employers have 133 opportunities in the portal, but the program will grow as more classes facing the requirements reach high school.

Ashley Green, the county’s chief deputy prosecutor, said setting up an opportunity in the user-friendly portal takes about five minutes. The prosecutor’s office has an established internship program that includes high school students and will provide one opportunity per semester. She said prior internships now pay off with hires in the prosecutor’s office.

Plasterer encouraged the department heads and elected officials to think about how work-based learning could fit into their offices. Four members of Wayne County Council also attended the meeting as the county considers budget impacts if its participation includes paid internships.

“This project will grow over time, and it makes sense as one of the county’s larger employers that we look at how we might take on some of these challenges,” Plasterer said.

Helping Union County

A staffing crisis confronts Union County’s 911 center, and Wayne County is providing assistance.

The counties have an emergency agreement for Wayne County to assume dispatch shifts for Union County; however, a 90-day time frame while Union County trains new hires requires an interlocal agreement. In the agreement, Union County will pay $248 per eight-hour shift up to a maximum near $27,000, and Wayne County will cover 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday and all day Sunday and Monday.

Matthew Cain, director of Wayne County’s Emergency Communications Center, said covering Union County’s low call volume does not require Wayne County to adjust its staffing.

Commissioners Brad Dwenger and Aaron Roberts both expressed that it’s critical the county help neighboring counties in crisis. The commissioners unanimously approved the interlocal agreement.

Bridge projects

Brandon Sanders, the county engineer, has begun planning bridge projects for the 2028 and 2029 construction seasons. Three bridges along Willow Road are in his sights.

He presented commissioners a $68,400 contract with Engineering Resources of Fort Wayne for preliminary engineering work. Sanders said there’s adequate funding in his professional services line item to cover the cost. Commissioners unanimously approved the contract.

After the preliminary work, design would be the next phase.

Commissioners also approved extended tree and underbrush clearance on county-owned land next to the Bridge Avenue bridge currently being replaced. The extra clearing enables changing the excavated slope to a safer angle.

Sanders also informed commissioners that extra demolition was needed on the overlay of the larger Richmond Avenue bridge currently being repaired. He said it could potentially add $180,000 to $260,000 in the project cost, but the impact won’t be known until the project winds down. Sanders identified local option highway user tax money and state-provided lane-mile money as possible options to cover any cost increase.

Other actions

• Commissioners approved a resolution to transfer a Chevrolet Tahoe formerly in the sheriff’s fleet to Fountain City Police Department.
• Commissioners approved a resolution transferring tax lien certificates for Richmond properties at 51 S. 15th St., 212 S. 13th St. and 441 S. 11th St. to Affordable HomeMatters. The properties will become part of the infill housing project in the Vaile neighborhood. During their April 8 meeting, commissioners directed Ron Cross, the county attorney, to prepare the resolution.