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Sheriff’s office seeks budget amendment for AFSCME MOU; commissioners raise budget and juvenile-transition questions
Summary
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office presented a proposed budget amendment tied to an AFSCME Local 1733 MOU that would accelerate corrections deputies’ step progression, with a FY26 fiscal impact the sheriff’s office estimated at about $725,427 for 45 employees.
Alicia Lindsey, chief administrative officer for the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, presented an amendment request tied to a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with AFSCME Local 1733 that would move corrections deputies to top out at three years rather than five. Lindsey said the negotiated change affects about 45 employees and has a fiscal impact to the FY26 proposed budget of approximately $725,427.
Human Resources Director Gerald Thornton told the committee that the MOU was negotiated without HR participation and warned commissioners the presented figure may understate the total fiscal impact. Thornton said broader pay-parity proposals, vacancy budgeting, the sheriff’s salary schedules and pending ordinances may increase costs beyond the single MOU line item and urged commission review of systemwide impacts before final approval.
Lindsey and sheriff representatives said the request reflects recruitment and retention goals and alignment with deputy sheriffs’ schedules. The sheriff’s office and AFSCME negotiated the MOU and county attorneys reviewed the agreement, Lindsey said; she named two county attorneys who signed off on the MOU language. Lindsey also said the sheriff’s office would likely return with additional budget amendments to support recruiting and retention and noted a planned 2% add-on request for public safety on top of the proposed 3% countywide increase.
The committee also discussed the planned transfer of custody and operations for the Youth Justice & Education Center (YJAC/JJAC) and related positions. Commissioners and staff debated which positions, contracts—such as food services—and associated funds should move with the youth facility when responsibility shifts from the sheriff’s office to the department that will operate the center. Lindsey said some previous differences in how juvenile detention positions were funded and classified complicate a straightforward funds-transfer approach; Human Resources and finance staff urged an accounting reconciliation to avoid duplicative funding across departments.
Chair and commissioners directed staff to convene a transition discussion including juvenile court, corrections, the sheriff’s office and administration to reconcile positions, contracts and the FY26 budget implications. No formal budget amendment was approved in committee; Lindsey said the sheriff’s office expected to return with detailed amendment language and projected costs in time for further subcommittee and full-committee review.
