Starke County Commissioners Pass Nepotism Ordinance

Starke County Commissioners: Kathy Norem, Dan Bridegroom and Jennifer Davis

The Starke County Commissioners have passed an ordinance that would halt nepotism in hiring in county government. The ordinance was created in part to stop complaints from the public about employees working under direct supervision of a family member. In the ordinance, the definition of relatives was spelled out with 17 listed from father and mother to relatives by adoption.

The ordinance applies to all elected or appointed directors.

“I think this ordinance is going to go a long way to stop some of the complaints we hear out in the public regarding this issue,” said Commissioner Kathy Norem before the vote was taken. The ordinance was passed unanimously, and takes effect immediately.