Sheriff warns of $98,000 shortfall for state‑matched domestic‑violence detective and details staffing needs for new jail

Sheriff Noah Robinson told the Vanderburgh County Council during the budget hearing that a longstanding state/county match that funds a domestic‑violence detective has not kept pace with local costs, producing a projected county shortfall of roughly $98,000 for 2026.

Robinson said the state program has historically paid about three‑quarters of the detective's salary, with local funds making up the remainder, but “that percentage [has] remained flat” while salary and workload increased. He said the county currently receives roughly $64,000 from the state; the county contributes about $25,000; and total cost to fund the position for 2026 is projected at about $85,000–$98,000 depending on the formula and pay decisions. Robinson described an ongoing deficit the office has been supplanting with grant money that is now needed elsewhere.

Why it matters: The detective position carries specialized duties and the sheriff said the detective handles nearly a new domestic‑violence case per working day (he cited averages near 395–410 cases annually). The sheriff warned scaling back would shift cases onto detectives already carrying heavy caseloads and across departments, with ripple effects for courts, public defenders and social services.

Funding options and council discussion - Sheriff proposal: Robinson asked council members to consider funding part or all of the shortfall; he said one option would be for the council to finance half of the $98,000 while he seeks outside grant funding or other sources for the remainder. - Use of vacant lines: Council members suggested as an option keeping a deputy line open and using those savings to cover the match shortfall, but warned such transfers would require later reappropriation if the vacancy were filled.

Jail staffing and new facility Robinson also outlined staffing needs for the planned jail expansion, saying he expects to add roughly 22 confinement officers when the new facility opens and estimated the county needs about 130 total jail staff to operate the expanded facility (current staff around 108). He said the sheriff has used part‑time, retired special deputies to reduce overtime and provide surge capacity and now employs about four part‑time special deputies. Robinson said the new jail’s design (single‑occupancy cells and a separation unit) should reduce stress and improve safety, which he expects will help recruitment and retention.

Other operational points - Vehicles and maintenance: Robinson described rising maintenance costs for current fleet vehicles and noted some makes (Ford Interceptors) require more shop time than older Crown Victoria models. - Out‑of‑county housing: He said the county currently pays roughly $37–$45 per inmate per day to house inmates elsewhere and that federal contracts may be changing availability and costs.

Ending No formal decision was taken; councilors and the sheriff agreed to continue discussing options for funding the domestic‑violence detective and for phasing staffing for the new jail to match the facility’s construction schedule.