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Prosecutor Candidate Sam Arp Establishes List Of Administrative Priorities For New Administration

Last updated on Thursday, May 17, 2018

(BEDFORD) - During the next seven months, Prosecutor candidate Samuel Arp II says many preparations need to be made before taking office.

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As I establish a list of administrative priorities for my new administration, a few topics jump to the top of the list.

The first issue that causes me great concern is the pay scale for our Deputy Prosecutors. I would venture to guess that Lawrence County has the lowest paid Deputy Prosecutors in the state of Indiana which has an entry level starting pay of around $39,000 a year. I would estimate that the state average is closer to $52,000 a year.

In fact, Jackson County just advertised a Deputy Prosecutor position with a pay scale that ranged from $62,000 - $72,000 a year. To be qualified for the position of a Deputy Prosecutor a person has spent at least seven years in college and invested at a minimum of $150,000 in college tuition.

I fully understand that our county operates on a limited budget and like with any government agency there just simply is not enough money to meet all of the county's needs. To do my part in trying to get one step further to creating a solution to this problem my administration will do the following;

The Prosecutor and the Chief Deputy Prosecutor's salary is paid from state funds.

Lawrence County by state statute can and does provide a $5,000 a year supplement to both positions. Both Robert Cline and myself have decided to reallocate the $10,000 from our own salaries and give each of the four Deputy Prosecutors a $2,500 a year pay raise.

I'm am not yet certain if this can be done at the county level or has to be done individually by both Mr. Cline and myself, but no matter which way is chosen we are committed to doing our part in showing our appreciation to the excellent individuals who chose the path of public service and forgo personal wealth for the benefit of every citizen of Lawrence County.

Finally, my administration is committed to fiscal responsibility and will be a good steward of taxpayer funds. It has been brought to my attention that the last two elected prosecutors have been provided new SUV vehicles to drive annually which have been paid for by local tax dollars. I will not continue this tradition and would only accept such a vehicle for the usage as a patrol vehicle for my investigator. I pledge to every voter that I will only spend tax dollars when necessary. I further pledge to respect and appreciate the efforts of my staff who have dedicated themselves to public service.

Approved by the ARP for Prosecutor Committee

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