Agreement with grant writer approved

An agreement between St. Joseph County and grant writer James Hissong was approved Tuesday.

Hissong, who works in a part-time capacity for the county and a few of its communities, recently obtained a Limited Liability Company. According to county administrator Teresa Doehring, it is in the best interest of the county and Hissong to change his employment relationship from employee to independent contractor.

The contract is for $35,000 and is covered through the county’s general fund. The shift in Hissong’s status from employee to independent contractor will realize a small amount of savings through no longer having to pay worker’s comp or FICA, Doehring said.

Hissong’s LLC is called Grantsmanship Consulting.