Blackford County Council Unanimously Approves Sheriff's Pay Increase
From the Blackford County Council Budget Workshop #2 & Regular Meeting on August 5, 2026
The Blackford County Council voted 6-0 to approve Sheriff Jim Heflin's contract, raising his pay from 50% to 55% of the state-set minimum based on county population. Council member Patrick Cale was absent.
The contract had already been approved by the county commissioners on August 3 in a 3-0 vote. It runs through the remainder of Heflin's current four-year term.
As previously reported, the pay increase is offset by eliminating the 11th deputy position in the sheriff's department.
All six council members present — Jim Weiseman, Ryan Goodspeed, Casey Dick, Fred Tobey, Kyle Lechien, and Jack Beckley — voted in favor.
Source: YouTube transcript — Blackford County Council Budget Workshop #2 & Regular Meeting, August 5, 2026
Some information may be inaccurate due to video audio quality.
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