Himsel Award honors Ken Paust's local and state leadership, accomplishments

RICHMOND, Ind. — Ken Paust has provided Wayne County decades of leadership, but he's also been a state leader.

His influence in both areas was honored Wednesday afternoon shortly after he gaveled into session the weekly commissioners meeting. Paust was announced as the 2022 recipient of the Association of Indiana Counties' Arthur R. Himsel Award, the highest honor the statewide organization bestows.

"It's definitely an honor, no doubt about that, and I certainly feel very honored, although I'm not sure I'm deserving," said Paust, who was the 2021 AIC president.

No one else among a chambers full of AIC leaders, city and county officials and county department heads doubted Paust's credentials for the AIC's top award. Susan Bodkin of Hancock County, the 2021 Himsel recipient, mentioned how humble Paust is, because she never knew how much he had accomplished, calling the list "star-studded" as she recited his achievements.

Paust received a standing ovation after Bodkin announced him as the Himsel winner. Paust would have been presented the award during the AIC meeting in two weeks; however, a family health issue will prevent him from attending. That prompted Wednesday's surprise presentation.

"I hope you realize Wayne County is a much better place because of your leadership," David Bottorff, the AIC's executive director, said to Paust. "It's a great place to live and work."

Bottorff said Paust leads by listening to others, achieving a consensus and implementing action.

Commissioner Mary Anne Butters recalled how vigorously Paust worked during the COVID-19 pandemic and his determination about protecting county employees.

"No one could be more deserving," she said.

COVID impacted Paust's work during his year leading AIC as its president. The organization trains county leaders, be they auditors, recorders, treasurers, council members or commissioners; however, Paust hoped to expand the training abilities. He said several million dollars were available to build a facility for that expanded training.

"My only disappointment is that I didn't get that done," Paust said, adding that's a project he will continue to pursue after leaving office Dec. 31.

Brad Dwenger defeated Paust in the Republican primary election and, with no general election opponent this fall, will take over Paust's District 1 commissioners seat. It will be the first time since 1992 that Paust will not occupy a county office. He became a county councilor in 1993 and switched to being a commissioner in 2007.

"Ken has worked hard for both Wayne County and for the AIC, and I don't know anybody more deserving than Ken," said Chris Beeson, the only other Wayne County leader to win the Himsel award, doing so in 2006. "I wish him the very best in his retirement, although I'll be very surprised if he's ever totally retired."

Beeson said Paust has helped the county progress from annually borrowing from the bridge fund to cover its general fund expenses to now having cash reserves. Beeson also touted the AIC's benefits with the training programs, legislative lobbying efforts and networking opportunities. He said that when faced with an issue he could study examples how other counties had successfully addressed something similar.

"It's a great organization, so it's a great feeling getting an award from an organization like that," Beeson said.

Paust also expressed the AIC's value, including connections that mean assistance is only a phone call away.

"We've had two now in Wayne County who have provided leadership at the state level, and I hope we continue to have people participate at the state level," Paust said. "It's so valuable."

2023 budget

During a finance committee meeting Wednesday morning, Wayne County Council discussed the 2023 budget.

The developing budget exceeds expected new monies by $165,094 as council continues to make decisions.

Council members are waiting for information from consultant Kent Irwin about how current court employee wages stack up against similar positions in other counties, case load comparisons and information about a court administrator position. That information is expected before the Sept. 14 workshop.

Council now is also asking Irwin's opinion about creating new employee classifications for highway department workers. Council members discussed boosting truck driver pay $2.17 to match what current operators make, then also boosting operator pay the same amount. That would impact the separate highway department budget by $174,000.

If the same raise was included for other county employees from the same employee classifications, there would by an $82,000 general fund impact. Creating a new classification for the highway employees would recognize additional duties they perform, such as installing box culverts and paving, that save the county money because the projects are not bid and awarded to contractors.

When highway department employees leave, they take specialized knowledge and skills with them. Boosting pay would be an incentive for those employees to stay.

Council members found merit in creating the classifications because of the expertise required beyond a CDL. Irwin comparisons won't be exactly apples to apples, though, because Wayne County's highway department is the only in the state to replace box culverts.

"When they think of a typical county highway department, that's not us," council member Max Smith said.

Council will have another chance to address the budget during the Sept. 14 workshop prior to a budget public hearing Sept. 21.

Truck drivers

Council members did approve one highway department initiative during its personnel committee meeting.

Candidates without CDLs can now be hired at an hourly wage $1 lower than truck drivers and paid during their four-week CDL school. The $5,000 school fee can also be paid. The employees will continue being paid at the lower wage until they can schedule and pass their CDL tests, when they will be boosted to the truck driver rate.

Mike Sharp, the county's highway superintendent, said he has one candidate now he would like to put into that program. The plan calls for a two-year commitment that requires a pro-rated reimbursement of the CDL school fee if an employee leaves during the two-year window.

This article originally appeared on Richmond Palladium-Item: Himsel Award honors Paust's local and state leadership, achievements