Woodbury County approves 3% wage increase, union contracts and equipment purchases amid budget shortfall

The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors voted to approve a 3% across‑the‑board wage increase for fiscal year 2026 and several related budget and staffing measures during a regularly scheduled meeting. The board also approved union contract actions, the purchase of squad‑car tablets for deputies, and authorization for an additional sergeant in the sheriff’s office.

The wage decision came as County Auditor Michelle Scapp and department leaders briefed supervisors on the county’s projected reserves and staffing needs. Scapp told the board that, as currently proposed, the county faces roughly a $2.1 million shortfall across funds and will need about $414,000 more to preserve two months of operating funds at the end of fiscal 2026.

Why it matters: Supervisors said the pay decision recognizes county employees’ workload and recruitment pressures but acknowledged the board must make additional cuts or find new revenue before next year to avoid drawing down reserves long term.

Board discussion centered on recruitment and revenue. Sheriff Chad Sheehan told the board federal inmate revenue is exceeding the original budget estimate and said that if current numbers hold, county receipts tied to housing federal inmates could be substantially higher than budgeted for FY26; combining current‑year receipts with projected FY26 receipts, Sheehan said the county could see roughly three‑quarters of a million dollars more than…