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Washtenaw commissioners press sheriff’s office over contract‑policing billing change and $3M shortfall
Summary
County finance and commissioners probed a billing change in the sheriff’s contract‑policing program and a projected near‑$3.3 million sheriff personnel shortfall driven by overtime, vacancies and hospital‑guard posts. Township officials and commissioners asked for municipality‑level breakdowns of billed hours and unmet contracts.
Commissioners pressed county finance and the sheriff’s office on Sept. 3 after Catherine Jones Alter, deputy finance director, told the board that a billing change in contract policing will reduce projected county revenues for 2025 and a near‑term $3.3 million projected shortfall in sheriff personnel costs.
Billing change and immediate effect Jones Alter said the sheriff shifted billing from an annual year‑end “banked hours” reconciliation to monthly invoices that bill for filled positions rather than for positions authorized but vacant. County finance estimates that change reduces contract policing revenue recognized this year by about $400,000 because municipalities will no longer be billed for vacant positions and subsequently refunded. The sheriff’s office told commissioners the change better matches contract language but is a significant operational shift for some townships.
Commissioners and township supervisors pressed for a municipal breakdown: which townships are being billed for fewer deputy hours than previously expected, how long gaps have existed, and whether municipalities are paying for hours they do not receive. County administration agreed to work with the sheriff’s budget team to produce a line‑by‑line, township‑level breakdown for the board and municipal partners.
Operational shortfalls: overtime and vacancies Jones Alter said the sheriff is projecting a $3.3 million personnel shortfall that reflects overtime costs (used to backfill FMLA and parental leaves, hospital guard posts, court transport and other duties) that are offset only in part by vacancy savings. She and commissioners described multiple drivers: vacancies that are being backfilled with overtime; training timelines for new hires; and added transport and hospital guard requirements.
Municipal concerns and next steps Township officials in the public meeting and commissioners said some municipalities believe they are paying for contracted deputy positions that are not provided; several supervisors asked whether refunds or contract adjustments should follow. Commissioners asked the sheriff’s budget team and county administration to (a) provide a municipality‑level breakdown of filled positions vs. contracted positions, (b) clarify whether and how overtime costs are passed through under current contracts, and (c) report policy options for municipal refunds or contract adjustments.
Ending County administration said it will schedule meetings with affected municipal supervisors and the sheriff’s office and return to the board with more detailed billing and staffing breakdowns. Commissioners said they expect transparency for impacted townships and residents.
