Probation budgets trim payroll as long‑serving employee departures reduce salary lines

Probation staff reviewed several general‑fund budgets and said the department’s overall 2026 payroll request is lower than 2025 because of retirement and salary‑tier resets. Managers explained statutory, tiered salary steps set by the state create predictable increases as employees move from year‑to‑year; they also said some positions previously funded at higher longevity levels reduced total budgeted salary when incumbents left.

Matthew, probation administration, said one position moved from DOC grant funding into the county budget while a different hire would reduce grant use because the new hire will be lower in the pay tier. He summarized the effect as a roughly $54,400 reduction across the department compared with the prior year, and said the county is advertising open posts and receiving applicants.

Juvenile probation and other line items were unchanged except for small adjustments to overtime or equipment lines; probation managers noted ammunition and weapons/holster purchases are expected as training and certification cycles return to normal levels.

Council members asked clarifying questions about anniversary‑date pay calculations and how grant offsets are applied; managers said they would continue recruiting and present any additional hiring or overtime requests as needed.