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Board approves Linn County Sheriff’s Office FY2026 budget; majority of discussion focused on inmate housing, U.S. Marshals revenue and staffing
Summary
The Board of Supervisors preliminarily approved the Sheriff’s Office FY2026 appropriations request of $33,268,824 and revenues of $6,327,644 after a presentation that highlighted anticipated revenue from a new U.S. Marshals housing agreement, three additional FTEs, vehicle needs and rising medical and contract costs at the jail.
The Board of Supervisors on Jan. 13 approved the Linn County Sheriff’s Office fiscal year 2026 appropriations request of $33,268,824 and estimated revenues of $6,327,644 after a budget presentation that emphasized inmate housing revenue, staffing and jail operating costs.
Don Shindrich, Linn County finance director, said the budget request includes requests tied to increased inmate populations and one additional patrol vehicle; he summarized the requested appropriations and projected revenues. "The requested appropriations are $33,268,008.24 and revenues of $6,327,006.44," Shindrich said, noting several line-item details in the package. (Don Shindrich, Finance Director)
Doug Renicker (Sheriff’s Office) and other department leaders described three new full‑time equivalent positions included in the request (stated as 3.6 FTE considering part‑time changes): two opioid‑related deputies and an additional transport deputy to support a U.S. Marshals Service agreement. Renicker said the U.S. Marshals agreement should start on Feb. 1 pending paperwork and that the county negotiated a new housing rate of $140 per inmate per day (up from $86 previously). The department projected increased revenue from the new rate beginning in the next fiscal year. (Doug Renicker, Linn County Sheriff's Office)
Renicker and finance staff also told supervisors that medical costs for inmates are increasing because outside hospital bills are being forwarded to the county. "Now we are seeing these bills...they could be costly," Renicker said, and county staff warned the board the budget may require a spring amendment if inmate counts or medical costs exceed projections. The sheriff’s office included modest increases in jail food and other operating costs to align with anticipated population changes and contract rate increases.
On staffing and equipment, Renicker said he requested one additional full‑time patrol deputy as the top personnel offer; the office also budgeted for one more patrol vehicle this year because fleet replacement cycles and vehicle prices have increased. He told supervisors the department is actively recruiting deputies and filling civilian detention officer roles to support jail operations.
Board members asked about contract terms and long‑term escalators. Renicker said the new U.S. Marshals contract runs three years and contains no automatic cost escalator; supervisors asked staff to monitor long‑term impacts of fixed daily rates.
The board approved the sheriff’s budget by voice vote; the motion passed and the clerk recorded that the motion carried. The meeting transcript records a voice vote with no roll‑call tally provided.
