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Amherst County supervisors approve $100,000 in vacancy savings to cover sheriff—s vehicle overrun
Summary
The Amherst County Board of Supervisors voted to allow the sheriff to use $100,000 of vacancy-savings to help cover an overrun in the motor-vehicle line, while the remainder will come from fine revenue; the board approved the request by voice vote.
The Amherst County Board of Supervisors voted to allow the sheriff to use $100,000 in vacancy savings to help cover a roughly $227,000 overrun in the sheriff—s motor-vehicle budget, the board heard at a regular meeting.
County staff and the sheriff told supervisors the motor-vehicle line is well over budget this year because vehicle upfits cost far more than anticipated. "We're so far out of line in that particular budget line," the sheriff said in explaining the request. Finance staff said they identified savings in the sheriff's department and animal control and proposed using $100,000 of those vacancy savings so the county would not have to draw down fine revenue to near zero.
The sheriff said the motor-vehicle line is about $227,000 over; he and staff proposed covering part of that gap with $100,000 from vacancy savings and the remainder with fine revenue. County staff noted an upfit on a replacement vehicle costs about $35,000 per car. "So we came up with a hundred thousand dollars to go towards his motor vehicles, but we need your permission to use it because payroll lines," Ms. McBride told the board.
Supervisors asked whether outstanding procurements would affect the numbers; staff replied no procurements were pending that would change the estimate. Members also discussed recent vehicle losses and crashes involving deputies; the board acknowledged the safety risks and noted some incidents were violations of the state—s move-over law.
A motion by Mr. Martin to grant the sheriff permission to use vacancy savings as described passed by voice vote. No second was recorded in the transcript. The chair called for the ayes and the motion passed.
The action does not change the next fiscal year—s budgeted vehicle line, staff said; the supervisor and finance staff reported the motor-vehicle line has been adjusted for the upcoming budget year.
The board did not place further conditions on the use of the vacancy savings beyond the vote approving the transfer.
