June 2018

There is not yet an answer, but now there are plans to combat overcrowding at the Vanderburgh County Jail. Commissioners met Wednesday to comb over a study by RQAW Architecture that lays out five different options for jail expansion. According to Vanderburgh County Commissioner Cheryl Musgrave, progress was made. “We had a great deal more numbers to look at and options presented to us. Enough options that we were able to focus in – laser focus—on really what we need and that’s the financing pieces, is what we need more information on.” The expansion plans in the study are listed as options “A” through “E” and range from a 300-bed one-pod addition at $23.7 million dollars – to a 900 bed three-pod addition at $60.8  million dollars. Several of the expansion options include a “shell” – which is a pod that would be built in anticipation of future increased inmate population, and could be finished when needed. A shell would accomplish the need to plan for the future overcrowding, without draining resources immediately. The county can currently afford a 300 bed addition comfortably, but need was estimated at 900 to 1,200 additional beds at earlier meetings. According to Sheriff Dave Wedding, 300 is not enough. “I don’t think 300 would be adequate with 850 inmates.” The commissioners also discussed options besides expansion to relieve the overcrowding– including adding more judges, courtrooms and prosecutors to speed up court process and reduce inmate headcount. The study found that the county’s average daily population is already one of the lowest in the state at 19. A proposed project schedule begins September of this year, with an August 2019 construction start date. The plan targets March 2022 for project completion. For now, commissioners want to continue to crunch numbers — and hear from the state regarding financial considerations. “$30, $35 dollars a day does not pay for us keeping Indiana State convicted prisoners. How can we factor our cost when we don’t know what they’re going to do?” Pressure from inmate overcrowding has been building forcing the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s office to consider temporary measures to relieve the strain on the system. As 700 inmates remain behind bars at the 500-bed facility – many have been transferred to other facilities to ease crowding. To read the complete plan proposal, click here. Read original story from the Tristate Homepage here.

These employers were recognized by the Top Workplaces 2018 employee survey conducted by Energage, working in partnership with IndyStar. For more information, go to IndyStar.com. Top large companies 1. Keller Williams Indy Metro 2. Crew Carwash 3. ERMCO 4. Monarch Beverage 5. Charles Schwab 6. Ricker Oil 7. Fifth Third Bank 8. Comcast 9. RCI 10. White Castle  11. Aldi 12. Witham Health Services 13. Clark-Pleasant Community Schools 14. Protective Insurance 15. Freedom Mortgage Top midsize companies 1. Van Rooy 2. Insights Consulting 3. Royal United Mortgage 4. First Internet Bank 5. BSA LifeStructures 6. Crowe Horwath 7. Tendercare Home Health Service 8. Opportunities for Positive Growth 9. Northwestern Mutual 10. HomeAdvisor 11. Dauby O’Connor & Zaleski 12. Key Benefit Administrators 13. Bose McKinney & Evans 14. Fusion Alliance 15. Indiana Members Credit Union 16. Taft Stettinius & Hollister 17. Edwards Electrical & Mechanical 18. Orchard Software Corp. 19. Bill Estes Automotive Group 20. Renewal by Andersen of Indiana 21. Seven Corners 22. Williams Comfort Air 23. DWA Healthcare Communications Group 24. MOBI Wireless Management 25. Reynolds Farm Equipment  Small companies 1. Vaco Indianapolis 2. Hare Honda 3. Bailey and Wood Financial Group 4. Indesign  5. BGBC Partners 6. Terry Lee Hyundai 7. Covenant Christian High School 8. Software Engineering Professionals 9. Dawes Fretzin Dermatology Group 10. Express Employment Professionals 11. Integration Partners  12. Pondurance 13. R&R Plumbing  14. Scopelitis Garvin Light Hanson & Feary 15. Blue Horseshoe 16. Peterman Heating Cooling & Plumbing 17. Hensley Legal Group 18. Chapman Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing 19. RQAW  20. TEKsystems 21. American Income Life — Indiana 22. Student Connections 23. Indiana Donor Network 24. Meyer Najem 25. PERQ 26. One Click Ventures 27. Central Restaurant Products 28. Towne Park Ltd. 29. Aerotek 30. PITT OHIO 31. MS Inspection & Logistics 32. Lewis Wagner 33. Quality Mill Supply 34. Nelbud Services Group 35. Knowledge Services 36. Mister Quik Home Services 37. Johnson Melloh 38. First Databank 39. Brooksource 40. Northview Church 41. NOW Courier  42. Manheim Indianapolis 43. Haggard & Stocking Associates 44. Indiana Health Information Exchange 45. Octiv 46. Engaging Solutions  47. Arbor Homes 48. Total Quality Logistics 49. Unique Home Solutions 50. Interactions How we compiled our rankings: Behind the Top Workplaces 2018 survey Top Workplaces 2018. Special awards These awards were based on standout scores for specific survey statements. Employees rated criteria — such as “I have confidence in the leadership of this company” — on a seven-point scale from strongly disagree to strongly agree. LEADERSHIP Criteria: I have confidence in the leadership of my company. Winners Large: Billy Schaming, Crew Carwash Midsize: David Becker, First Internet Bank Small: Terry Lee, Hare Honda DIRECTION Criteria: I believe this company is going in the right direction. Winner: Van Rooy Cos. MANAGERS Criteria: My manager helps me learn and grow. My manager makes it easier to do my job well. My manager cares about my concerns. Winner: Keller Williams Indy Metro NEW IDEAS Criteria: New ideas are encouraged at this company. Winner: Vaco Indianapolis DOERS Criteria: At this company, we do things efficiently and well. Winner: Royal United Mortgage MEANINGFULNESS Criteria: My job makes me feel as I am part of something meaningful. Winner: Indiana Donor Network ETHICS Criteria: This company operates by strong values and ethics. Winner: Charles Schwab CLUED-IN SENIOR MANAGEMENT Criteria: Senior managers understand what is really happening at this company. Winner: Insights Consulting COMMMUNICATION Criteria: I feel well-informed about important decisions at this company. Winner: Indesign APPRECIATION Criteria: I feel genuinely appreciated at this company. Winner: Opportunities for Positive Growth WORK/LIFE FLEXIBILITY Criteria: I have the flexibility I need to balance my work and personal life. Winner: BSA LifeStructures TRAINING Criteria: I get the formal training I want for my career. Winner: ERMCO BENEFITS Criteria: My benefits package is good compared to others in this industry. Winner: Blue Horsehoe Read the original article from the Indy Star here.