Alamance commissioners approve sheriff's request to use forfeiture funds for sign‑on bonuses amid staffing shortfall

The Alamance County Board of Commissioners approved a request from Sheriff Johnson to use available funds to pay sign‑on bonuses for detention officers after the sheriff described a shortfall that is straining jail operations.

Sheriff Johnson told the board the detention center is understaffed and that officers were doing double duties; he asked to use $80,000 in state drug forfeiture funds to pay eight sign‑on bonuses to hire detention staff. "We are 33 short in detention, which puts my people in serious danger," the sheriff said. He described operational strains including weekend jail bookings and the need to process and secure inmates safely.

Commissioners discussed whether the bonuses should be offered going forward and how to handle funds repaid by employees who leave. The board approved the sheriff’s request and later adopted an amended motion specifying that any previously repaid bonus funds be applied first to pay bonuses and that any additional required amounts come from the sheriff's state drug forfeiture fund. The board also instructed that future use of bonuses be managed to limit expectations that all hires will receive a sign‑on payment.

Why it matters: County officials said the jail staffing shortage presents both safety and legal risks. Commissioners asked the sheriff to reduce reliance on bonuses over time and to coordinate hiring and retention strategies with administration.

The board's votes on the bonuses were recorded in public session; commissioners approved the motions and the follow‑up language on application of repaid funds.