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Board approves $8.41 million transfer; treasurer says sheriff retroactive pay funded from reserves
Summary
The Board approved a transfer of prior-year appropriations totaling $8,412,500. County Treasurer Hussam Mohammed told commissioners most of the transfer funds come from reserves and that a $5,000,007.50 allocation will complete retroactive pay for sheriff’s officers.
The Essex County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve a transfer of prior-year appropriations totaling $8,412,500 to cover department obligations, including a large allocation to the Sheriff’s Department to complete retroactive pay.
County Treasurer Hussam Mohammed explained the resolution allows transfers during the first three months of the year to ensure departments can meet obligations. Commissioner MacInerney and Treasurer Mohammed discussed the components of the transfer: Mohammed and staff said $6,100,000 came from treasury reserves and $5,000,007.50 of the transfer was allocated to the Sheriff’s Department, which a county official said will complete retroactive payments owed to sheriff’s officers under negotiated contracts.
Mohammed told commissioners that once the transfer and related reserve allocations are processed, the retroactive pay through 2023 for sheriff’s officers will be funded from 2024 appropriations and reserve balances; he said the county expects no unpaid tail into the 2025 budget for the sheriff lane. In public comment, David Weiner of CWA Local 1081 reiterated union concerns about large transfers from the Division of Family Assistance and Benefits to the jail and asked for an itemized justification of specific transfers, including $3,400,000 in total transfers previously referenced.
Commissioners moved the transfer resolution after discussion and recorded the motion as approved by the commissioners present. A temporary absence delayed the initial roll call; when commissioners reconvened the resolution passed with recorded yes votes by the commissioners present.
