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Commissioners told raises will push benefits fund; sheriff officials urge higher starting pay to reduce turnover
Summary
County staff said raises already granted will increase employee benefits costs this year and next, potentially requiring a budget amendment. Sheriff's office leaders told commissioners recruitment and overtime pressures are driving the need for higher wages.
County staff alerted Bourbon County commissioners on Monday that recent raises granted in two departments will increase costs in the county's employee-benefits fund and could require a budget amendment.
A staff member told the board that the immediate impact of raises increased taxes and benefits costs by about $19,000 so far, with an estimated $63,000 wage increase for the remainder of 2025 and a projected $103,000 annual impact in 2026. "For 2026, that impact will be a 103,000," the staff member said.
County finance staff and department leaders discussed options. The county's finance adviser and the sheriff's office said payroll savings from unfilled positions might cover the increases if vacancies are not immediately filled; however, sheriff representatives said failing to raise starting pay has produced high turnover. A sheriff's office official described training and equipment costs for officers lost to other jurisdictions and urged higher starting wages to attract and retain qualified deputies.
Why this matters: The raises affect the employee-benefits fund that pays taxes and fringe costs tied to payroll. If revenues do not cover the increase, commissioners could face a midyear budget amendment or reallocation of funds ahead of the 2026 budget process.
Details: County staff estimated the immediate tax/benefit impact at roughly $19,000 and the additional payroll impact through year'end at about $63,000 (straight time); staff said overtime could raise the total. Finance staff said unfilled positions have produced short-term savings that may offset the increases in 2025. Commissioners asked the county auditor and finance adviser to verify reserve and reimbursement assumptions before ordering any budget amendment.
Board direction: Commissioners agreed to monitor the funds and revisit a budget amendment only if actual expenditures exceed available budget and to discuss salary schedules during upcoming budget work sessions.
Ending: No budget amendment was ordered at the meeting; commissioners directed staff to provide updated financials if the increases push the benefit fund into deficit.
