Custer County sheriff seeks 12% boost for 2026 budget; proposes military-surplus sales, grants and fees to cover costs

The Custer County sheriff presented a $2.1 million budget request for 2026 on Monday and asked commissioners to consider offsetting a projected county subsidy with revenue from military-surplus sales, new and existing grants, and fee increases.

The sheriff said the office’s 2026 request is about 12% higher than the 2025 budget — roughly $257,000 — driven largely by rising costs for communications, software, data services and capital needs. “We conservatively put $65,000 for revenue [from military surplus],” the sheriff said, adding that the county might realize more if higher-value items sell at advertised prices.

Why it matters: Commissioners heard that rising contract and technology costs (notably a larger recurring cost for the records/dispatch vendor Tyler) and health-insurance increases are pressing the sheriff’s office budget. County staff presented an accounting that projects about $438,000 in department revenue against roughly $2,180,000 in expenses, which would require about $1,818,000 from the general fund to balance the sheriff’s office alone.

The sheriff described three near-term revenue strategies. First, the office has accumulated excess equipment via the Defense Logistics Agency (formerly DRMO) program — including a road grader, a telehandler, a Humvee and a mine-resistant vehicle on loan — that the sheriff said could be sold or placed into county service. He said the county may begin settling those transfers and selling items beginning Oct. 1, and that an internal conservative estimate placed revenue at about $65,000; a less conservative audit suggested totals in the mid five figures higher.

“I think the military…