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Juvenile Justice Office asks Sheridan County for $130,000 GPET boost to cover staffing costs
Summary
Dan Lindley, administrator of the countyJustice Office, told commissioners the office is requesting a $130,000 increase in General Purpose Excise Tax funding to cover rising staff salaries and benefits and to avoid further depletion of contingency reserves. No decisions were made; commissioners will consider awards at the June 3 regular meeting.
Dan Lindley, administrator of the Justice Office, asked the Sheridan County Commissioners to increase the county—s General Purpose Excise Tax (GPET) contribution to the juvenile justice program by $130,000 to cover rising staff salaries and benefits.
The request was presented as a funding proposal only; no vote was taken. "We have 6 full time staff and 1 half time staff member is where we're at at this point," Lindley said, noting personnel costs are the program's largest expense and that he is proposing a 2.5% salary increase for staff next year. The commissioners scheduled formal GPET funding decisions for their regular meeting on June 3 at 9:00 a.m.
Lindley told the commissioners the joint powers board that oversees the program has existed for about 30 years and that the current annual operating budget is "right around $620,000." He said the office expects to use contingency funds this fiscal year and anticipates needing to draw on contingency again next year regardless of any county or city funding increases. "None of [the proposed increase] would be used to rebuild [the contingency fund]," he said.
During a question-and-answer period, a commissioner asked whether the requested increase would be used to replenish contingency or for ongoing operating costs; Lindley reiterated that the additional funds would be applied to salaries and benefits and would not rebuild contingency. He estimated a 6% increase in health insurance costs and said the proposed $130,000 addition would primarily support payroll and employer benefit contributions.
Because this session was the presentation phase of the GPET process, Lindley—s request will be considered alongside other applicants at the June 3 decision meeting; no action or commitment was made by the board during the presentation.
The commissioners and Lindley agreed staff would be available to answer any follow-up questions prior to the decision meeting.
