Teton County commissioners devoted substantial time on July 7 to public‑safety budgets, hearing that jail transport expenses and recruitment pressures are increasing costs for the sheriff's office.

A county commissioner noted that transport and incarceration costs had risen from about $135,000 last year to $167,000 year‑to‑date and attributed part of the increase to the county's lack of an in‑county jail (transport distances and vendor charges). "Last year, we spent a 135,000 in total. Entirely. This year, we're already up to a 167, and counting," a commissioner said.

Discussion centered on retention: the sheriff recommended retaining current deputies with raises rather than immediately hiring more staff, and the board debated whether to use remaining cash to fund raises or temporary measures. Commissioners emphasized that any departmental raise should be considered countywide to avoid pay compression.

The board also examined a proposal to defer two vehicle purchases (estimated at $220,000) for one year and to explore leasing or renegotiating lease terms to reduce near‑term costs. Commissioners asked the sheriff to pursue renegotiation with the vehicle lease vendor and to bring options back.

On staffing, the board discussed hiring or contracting a deputy prosecuting attorney short term (one‑year contract) to mitigate an immediate gap in the prosecutor's office while the budget and longer‑term funding are resolved. That option was described as a bridge funded from remaining cash with the expectation of finding recurring revenue later.

Commissioners directed further work with city governments to explore cost‑sharing for services because roughly 90% of arrests and much of the transport burden occur in the county's cities, the board was told; they planned a joint meeting with city leaders and the sheriff in mid‑July. The discussion was advisory and directional; no formal salary or vehicle purchases were approved during this session.