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Sheriff asks commission to allocate rising state jail revenue to deputies’ pay steps; action approved pending required public hearing
Summary
Sheriff Lacey requested the commission allocate increased state inmate daily incarceration revenue to bring deputies’ pay to approved step levels. Commissioners approved the request in principle but noted a public hearing is required to finalize any budget adjustment.
San Juan County Sheriff Lacey asked the commission on Oct. 21 to allocate higher state payments for inmates housed in the county jail toward raising sheriff’s‑office employee pay to approved step and lane levels.
The sheriff explained that the state’s annual recalculation of the daily incarceration rate — the per‑inmate payment counties receive when housing state inmates — has risen and that the jail has already received increased payments for recent months. He proposed using the additional incarceration revenue to restore or bring deputies back to the previously approved step/ lane pay schedule.
Commissioners discussed timing relative to the county budget calendar. County staff and a commissioner noted the state incarceration rate is recalculated in the summer (effective in July), while the county’s fiscal year timing is January–December; that timing drives how the sheriff’s request would be handled across two budget cycles. The sheriff said he analyzed recent months and estimated the increased revenue for the year would be approximately $195,000–$210,000.
Commissioner Harvey moved to approve the sheriff’s request; another commissioner seconded. Commissioners approved the motion on the record, and county staff clarified that any formal budget adjustment to implement pay changes will require a public‑notice budget hearing (as required for budget amendments that affect personnel pay). The sheriff and commissioners said they will proceed with the hearing process and finalize pay adjustments after the public‑notice requirement is met.
No specific pay increases were finalized at the Oct. 21 meeting; commissioners approved the concept and directed staff to schedule the required hearing and follow proper budget amendment procedures.
