Committee advances coroner’s FY2026 budget after questions about contractual raises

Committee members voted to move the coroner’s fiscal year 2026 budget out of committee after discussing salary-line changes tied to existing contracts.

County staff told the committee the only change to the coroner’s proposed budget was contractual salary increases that are accounted for by resolution. The committee heard specifics about three salary-change questions that had been raised: one maintenance employee at the jail who is retiring in January (and thus not expected to factor into the new-year payroll), Tony Smith, the full-time maintenance worker at the courthouse (department 701), and Mark Bloyer, a part-time maintenance worker at the Public Safety Building (department 702). Staff said Tony Smith’s contract raises move him from $28.20 per hour to $30.04 on Jan. 1, 2026, and then to $30.76 in July 2026 under a longevity step, yielding a 9.11% change in the courthouse maintenance salary line. Staff said Mark Bloyer’s contract raises move him from $22.99 to $24.58 on Jan. 1, 2026, and then to $25.21 in June, producing an 8.83% increase in that line.

On the record, a staff member reminded the committee the county is required by statute to fund the coroner’s office; the staff member also noted the county will have additional opportunities to review budgets in the finance committee and at two county-board-level meetings in November before final approval. Several committee members said they had not been able to reach the coroner’s office for further clarification but agreed, given the statutory obligation and the material being largely contractual, to move the item forward.

A motion to move the coroner’s FY2026 budget from committee was made by Miss McKenna and seconded by Miss Hayes; the committee voted in favor. Committee members were told the budget will go to finance and then return to the full county board for final approval in November.