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Sheriff warns overtime will remain high until jail staffing stabilizes; council discusses transfer options
Summary
Sheriff and council members debated jail staffing and overtime Sept. 11. Sheriff said recent hiring brings the jail to full roster but several staff remain in training; he warned overtime could remain elevated until those officers complete training and stay in post.
Howard County’s sheriff told the county council at its Sept. 11 budget workshop that the sheriff’s office is making progress hiring correctional staff but that overtime will likely remain elevated until newly hired officers complete training and remain on duty.
The sheriff reported the department had reached a full‑authorized staffing level on paper and said two new recruits had start dates near Sept. 30. He noted, however, that correctional officers in training do not immediately eliminate overtime because new hires must complete training and probationary periods. “As soon as these people get trained, if they stay long enough, then that reduces the overtime,” the sheriff said.
Council members pressed for a realistic overtime budget. County finance staff noted the jail’s overtime expenditures have been historically high (more than $500,000 in recent years) and questioned whether the proposed $345,000 overtime line would be sufficient; the sheriff said he would prefer to manage with transfers from other personnel lines if overtime runs hot rather than ask for a larger fixed appropriation now. The council discussed the risk of recurring shortfalls and the administrative burden of approving additional appropriations midyear.
Council members left the sheriff’s personnel lines as proposed but asked the sheriff to monitor staffing and return with a request if transfers or additional appropriations are required.
