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Trinity County budget workshop debates sheriff and jail staffing as part-time costs spike
Summary
Officials at a Trinity County budget workshop debated restoring pre-variance staffing levels in the sheriff's office while cutting part-time positions after the sheriff's part-time payroll line rose from roughly $49,000 to about $86,000; the judge recommended 6 full-time, 1 administrator and 3 part-time jail staff while raising concerns about overtime and comp-time liabilities.
At a Trinity County budget workshop, county leaders threshed out staffing and pay-line changes for the sheriff’s office after the department’s part-time payroll line jumped by roughly $37,000–$42,000 compared with a version shown two weeks earlier.
Bonnie (Speaker 5), the budget staff member who prepared the versions presented to the court, said earlier draft budgets assumed two part‑time staff; after the sheriff requested restoring prior part‑time staffing to five positions, the part‑time line rose from about $49,000 to roughly $86,478. Bonnie said full‑time salaries were entered from payroll records and the change was driven “strictly on the part time” line item.
Judge (Speaker 1) said he did not want to increase the tax burden on county residents and recommended a compromise staffing plan: six full‑time jailers, one jail administrator and three part‑time positions. “I don’t want it to cost Trinity County taxpayers money,” the judge said, arguing the county must balance staffing with potential overtime costs.
Other court members and officials cautioned that cutting part‑time positions could increase overtime and comp‑time. Speaker 2 and Speaker 6 asked how reductions from five part‑time staff to three would affect overtime; Speaker 5 estimated trimming two part‑time posts would reduce the part‑time line by roughly $40,000 but acknowledged that overtime could offset some savings.
Several participants pointed to recent ledger activity: Speaker 6 cited a roughly $92,000 overrun in the jail overtime account and about $21,000 overrun on the sheriff’s side, figures that officials said underscored the need for better shift management and tighter scheduling. Speaker 6 also reviewed timesheets showing staff duties that ranged from transports to kennel work and farm tasks, noting the importance of aligning operations with budgeted posts.
Court members agreed to move forward with the judge’s recommended baseline—6 full‑time, 1 administrator, 3 part‑time—while asking staff to monitor overtime and return with any necessary midyear amendments. Bonnie said budget figures are variable, especially for insurance, workers’ comp and unemployment, which are posted quarterly by the treasurer’s office or TAC and can change year to year.
The discussion did not produce a formal vote on the FY2026 draft; the court planned to finalize budget entries at the next meeting. The workshop concluded with a motion to adjourn.
