Commissioners express concern over large, unbudgeted sheriff’s office payouts; direct staff to draft policy

Lorain County commissioners said they will work on a formal policy after approving transfers that included departmental reimbursement for vacation and unused sick time for two sheriff’s office employees, payments the board described as unbudgeted and significant for the current fiscal year.

During discussion the commissioners noted the payouts—described in the meeting as roughly $79,000 to $80,000 in total—were not included in the adopted budget and have strained the sheriff’s current budget. Commissioners said the payments stem from agreements executed under the previous sheriff’s administration and that the board was not aware of the arrangements.

A commissioner said the recipients “earned it,” while also stressing the county needs to budget for similar liabilities going forward. Commissioners asked county administration to draft guidance and a policy, and instructed staff to return with a proposed approach that would allow departments to anticipate such payouts during budget preparation.

The board also questioned whether the previous sheriff had the authority to enter into agreements that created these payouts without the commissioners’ prior approval. Commissioners said the current sheriff should not bear the budgetary consequences of deals made before he took office. The transfers passed on the board’s vote while commissioners agreed to pursue a written policy clarifying future authority, budget treatment and approval procedures.

Ending: The administration will prepare a proposed policy and return to the board for further action; the board recorded the approved transfer and noted the financial impact for future budget cycles.