Pulaski County sheriff presents 2025–26 budget with 5% wage guideline, vehicle requests and fund reallocations

Pulaski County Sheriff (name not specified) told county commissioners that the sheriff’s office budget for 2025–26 largely holds baseline spending steady while reflecting an instructed 5% wage increase and several internal fund shifts.

The sheriff said the department “was instructed not to do any increases, which we didn't,” and that personnel costs are the principal change in the general fund. He told commissioners an overtime line appears lower on the main printout (from about $105,000 to $100,000) after moving some pay into other funds and that the office transferred $15,000 into Public Safety fund 11.70 for the chief deputy’s overtime and related costs.

The sheriff listed several separate funds that affect department budgeting, including the general fund (1000), the accident-report fund (1101), firearms training (1156), the misdemeanor fund (1175), the sheriff’s pension fund (listed as 1193), statewide 911 (1222) and a PSAP line (1235). He told commissioners some lines such as firearms training and the misdemeanor deposit have seen reductions or uncertain deposits in recent months.

Why it matters: the wage guidance and fund shifts determine how much the county must put in the general fund and how long temporary sources cover recurring pay. Commissioners and staff pressed for clarity on how much of the department’s wages are being covered with nonrecurring sources.

Key details - Wages: the budget reflects a 5% wage increase “as you were instructed,” the sheriff said; staff later confirmed some wage costs are currently being covered with ARPA funding that will not be available indefinitely. County budget staff told the group they expect ARPA support to decline and that commissioners should plan for future general‑fund impacts. - Fund shifts: the sheriff said $15,000 was moved to fund 11.70 (Public Safety) and that other adjustments shifted chief‑deputy overtime out of the main lines, which makes the printed overtime line appear reduced. - Vehicles: the sheriff described last year’s purchases (two used and two new vehicles) and said the department is seeking two replacement vehicles this year. He said a fully equipped vehicle approaches roughly $55,000 ($40,000 purchase plus roughly $15,000 to equip) and that a new vehicle often offers a multi‑year warranty that can justify the slightly higher cost versus a higher‑mileage used vehicle. - Commissary and training: the sheriff said most officer training costs are paid from commissary revenue and that recent short interruptions to phone‑call revenues briefly reduced commissary income; some of that revenue has been restored.

Discussion and next steps Commissioners and the sheriff’s staff agreed to continue reviewing detailed fund printouts (the sheriff asked members to look for fund 11.70 near the back of the packet). Staff indicated they will provide clearer fund breakouts and that the ARPA contribution that temporarily subsidizes some payroll costs will not be a long‑term source.

Ending No formal vote was taken on the budget lines at the meeting; the presentation closed with staff and commissioners signaling they will follow up with more detailed line‑item breakdowns and vehicle‑procurement specifics.