Delegation approves sheriff and support staff union cost items included in 2026 budget

The Belknap County delegation approved recommended cost items for two bargaining units early in the meeting: the sheriff’s staff union contract and the county support-staff contract.

Presenters told delegates that most wage increases were already included in the proposed 2026 budget and that only incremental items needed addition. For the sheriff’s office the delegation was asked to add an additional shift-pay line (presenter cited $12,006.67 as the sheriff-specific increase). The motion to approve the sheriff’s staff union cost items was moved by Representative Saint Clair and seconded by Representative Bogart; members discussed whether any delegate had a conflict of interest (one delegate declared a relationship with the sheriff’s office and designated the conflict) and the body accepted that designation and proceeded to a roll-call vote that the chair recorded as unanimous in favor.

A separate motion to approve the support-staff contract cost items included an additional 4-hour callback payment (presenter cited roughly $1,759.11). Delegates asked about a notable estimated increase in 2027 (a roughly $90,000 jump), and staff clarified that additional positions had been included in the latest contract; delegates confirmed the number of added positions in discussion. The delegation voted by roll call and recorded the support-staff contract cost-item approval as unanimous.

Both approved cost items were incorporated into the budget discussions that followed. Members noted that contract terms limit the delegation’s ability to change wages retroactively and that the budget reflects the negotiated agreements.