Madison County sheriff to return $331,367.60 from 2024 budget; savings attributed to unfilled positions and fee increases

Sheriff Mike Coyle informed the fiscal court that the Madison County Sheriff’s Office will return $331,367.60 to the county from its 2024 budget, an amount that includes an earlier announced surplus of $109,000. Coyle said the sum is driven by a combination of personnel savings and increased fee revenue enacted by the legislature in mid‑2024.

Coyle explained personnel savings: a captain's position left vacant after the December 2023 death of Captain Sam Manley remained unfilled for 2024, producing salary savings; the office also used court-security positions as a recruitment pipeline (candidates worked part time in court security, then attended the academy and moved to deputy roles), which reduced payroll costs while trainees were in the academy. Those steps, he said, reduced salary and benefit expenditures during 2024.

On revenue, the sheriff said state legislative changes increased certain fee collections beginning July 2024. Examples the sheriff cited included higher vehicle-inspection fees (the per-inspection amount increased from previously reported rates) and higher fees for civil papers such as evictions. The sheriff said the office typically handles many vehicle inspections for residents purchasing out-of-state vehicles, and the increase added to receipts.

Coyle told the court that similar surpluses are not expected for 2025 because the department has filled positions and anticipates full staffing; he said the return is a demonstration of stewardship and credited staff training and hiring practices for the savings.

Court members congratulated the sheriff on the result and asked staff to note that the figure will be returned to the fiscal court for appropriation.