Miller County judge outlines $8.67 million reworked budget, proposes 3% pay raise; vehicle purchases to be finalized

The county judge told Miller County officials the board has reworked the fiscal plan to $8,669,718 after cuts and proposed a 3% across‑the‑board cost‑of‑living raise for full‑time county employees, funded largely by transfers from investment reserves and expected December revenue. "We're going to give 3% cost of living raise across the board for county employees," the judge said.

Board documents and the judge's remarks show the printed available appropriation is $8,545,995.84; the judge said accounting for cuts the working total is $8,669,718 and that adding the 3% raises (with employer matching) would add roughly $140,800 to payroll costs. To cover the shortfall, the judge said staff will transfer funds into the county investment account to bring it to roughly $4,000,000, including moving $98,847 from a cash balance line (111006) originally set aside for jail plumbing repairs.

Why it matters: officials said maintaining reserves gives the county flexibility to balance one‑time needs without cutting services. The judge said anticipated December revenue — including sales tax and a final tax settlement she estimated at about $700,000–$800,000 — should help support the pay increase, but she warned sustainability will be reassessed next year if reserves decline.

Part‑time wages and ordinance cap: board members reviewed a prior ordinance that establishes a maximum part‑time rate "up to $18 an hour." Several members said elected officeholders retain discretion to set part‑time pay below that cap. The judge and others debated whether part‑time employees, who typically do not receive benefits, should receive the same 3% raise as full‑time staff; the board did not change the ordinance at the meeting.

Vehicles and equipment: Sheriff Travis reported three fully outfitted patrol vehicles will total $222,635.10. The sheriff also proposed buying a used 2021 Tahoe (about 36,000 miles) for roughly $40,000 to save about $16,000 compared with a new government‑priced SUV; board members flagged warranty and rigging costs (the sheriff estimated up to about $8,000 to outfit a vehicle) and leaned toward preparing paperwork for a new vehicle purchase to be included in a forthcoming appropriation ordinance.

The judge said she ordered an 18‑foot, two‑axle trailer (7,000‑lb capacity) from a local vendor for about $3,900 to haul mowers and equipment and provided her proposal to county finance staff for budget incorporation. Some members suggested staff could look for a better deal before final purchase.

Other budget items: the board removed a proposed grant‑writer line from the reworked budgets, saying county staff capacity makes external funding help unnecessary at this time. The board also discussed a school resource officer reimbursement line (figures referenced near $69,800–$79,000) and an overdose response grant and clarified that some grant‑funded insurances were budgeted at previous rates and will be reviewed for updated insurance costs.

Dispatch staffing and overtime: county officials noted overtime for dispatchers was reduced in the reworked budget (references in the meeting ranged from prior figures in the 30s down to a proposed 15–20); Sheriff Travis said adding a full‑time position is under discussion to cut overtime, but no staffing decision was finalized.

Next steps: county finance staff Carla was asked to finalize salary calculations with matching at 3% and to update the budget book; the board scheduled a follow‑up meeting to review final numbers and to prepare any appropriation ordinances for vehicle purchases. A motion to adjourn was moved and seconded and the chair declared the meeting adjourned.

Ending note: no formal appropriation ordinances or final votes on the 3% COLA or vehicle purchases were recorded at the meeting; the board directed staff to prepare paperwork and figures for adoption at a later session.