Sheriff—s office presents 2026 budget; mental-health co-responder position clarified

Routt County—s sheriff and staff presented the sheriff—s 2026 budget at the Aug. 18 work session, outlining federal grant revenue increases tied to a co-responder/correspondent grant and staffing adjustments intended to maintain patrol capacity while expanding mental-health response coverage.

Key points: the sheriff—s office expects a significant jump in federal revenues this year due to a federally funded co-responder (JAG or SAMHSA-type) grant. Staff explained that the office converted a deputy—s ACO (animal control officer) position into a full-time mental-health response deputy; the budget request includes backfilling the ACO position so patrol staffing is preserved. The budget also requests reclassifying an administrative supervisor to staff-sergeant to reflect increased supervisory duties.

Operations and capital: the detention center budget reflected deferred capital (body scanner remodel moved to 2026) and modest operational increases driven by transport and food costs. Sheriff—s staff noted the co-responder program will require vehicle radios, some equipment, and the county expects grant reimbursements for part of those capital costs.

Personnel and training: the sheriff—s office reported active recruitment challenges for deputies and detention positions and said training and step increases will affect personnel costs. Commissioners said they appreciate the department—s work and flagged lodging-tax revenues as a potential future revenue source to help cover public-safety needs.

Ending: commissioners had no formal action on the sheriff—s budget during the work session but asked staff to continue moving budget items through the normal review process; the sheriff—s office will continue to report on staffing and grant reimbursements.