Cass County sheriff’s office reports year-end budget surplus, warns of late medical bills

Cass County Sheriff’s Office officials told the Cass County Commission during a Dec. 11 rotational meeting that the department is running below its expected year-to-date expenditures but expects medical bills for inmates to continue arriving into the new year.

The sheriff’s office reported being at roughly 85% of its annual budget year-to-date, compared with an internal benchmark of about 92%, and said some of that positive balance — about several million dollars — reflects timing and staffing shortfalls rather than permanently lower costs. “We are currently at 85%, so we’re doing very well … we’re 7% to the green,” said Jesse, a county staff member who briefed commissioners on the budget.

Why it matters: Department leaders said bills for inmate care often arrive late from providers and may be charged to the prior budget year if invoiced before the March 31 cycle close, potentially drawing down the current surplus. Commissioners flagged roughly $3 million reported as under budget for the jail and noted that unspent funds typically roll back to county surplus or can be reallocated in the next budget cycle.

Officials told the commission that most inmate medical billing does not go to county-managed insurance; providers bill directly, and county staff expect a small percentage of medical invoices to arrive after the fiscal deadline. “It’s entirely possible that every year we experience a small percentage of medical bills actually come in after that March 31 deadline,” said Andy Froelbeck, Captain, Cass County Sheriff’s Office.

Staffing and payroll: The sheriff’s office said staffing shortages have also affected the figures. The department reported it is down about 10 correctional officers but plans a correctional officer basic academy in January and expects new hires from that class to reduce vacancies. The department also reported being short three patrol positions, two med-pass positions (employees who administer inmate medication), and one administrative assistant post. The sheriff’s office said the budget includes funding for 29 additional positions tied to a planned new jail pod.

Commissioners and staff emphasized that some of the year-to-date underspend is temporary and related to recruitment and turnover. “It’s very common, turn back maybe as a legislative term, but unexpended funds roll back into our budget surplus,” said a commissioner. The sheriff’s office said it will monitor moving medical invoices and personnel costs as the fiscal year closes.

Ending: Commissioners said the budget numbers will be part of upcoming formal budget conversations and noted the need to track late bills and the costs tied to filling vacancies as the county prepares its FY2025 request.