Sheriff warns of transport and jail staffing pressure; board adds $150,000 for part‑time transports
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Summary
Sheriff's staff described rising transport workload (including federal inmates), discussed whether the county should begin charging townships for police coverage, and recommended options to staff transport. Supervisors approved a $150,000 placeholder to fund part‑time transport hires in FY27 and received multiple sheriff fund budgets.
The sheriff’s office presented staffing and program demands that supervisors said could change patrol, transport and corrections budgets in FY27. Sheriff staff reported 19 deputies assigned to uniform patrol with 9 covering rural areas, and emphasized the county’s longstanding practice of providing township policing without charging most towns. "I believe we're the only county in 25 counties in Northwest Iowa that doesn't charge the towns for the law enforcement work," the sheriff's office said, and staff said they will open dialogue with mayors and the county attorney to explore options.
Transport and jail operations emerged as the most urgent budget pressures. Transport runs have expanded—regular trips to the federal courthouse in Sioux City, longer weekend trips and substantial work transporting federal inmates—and staff said those trips have produced revenue but also require dedicated hours. The sheriff's office provided a ballpark estimate that one full deputy fully burdened is about $110,000 to $115,000 per year with benefits; part‑time staff would cost less but would still be significant. During discussion the sheriff flagged year‑to‑date transport revenue of about $140,000 billed to federal partners.
To address the immediate scheduling and cost pressures, staff laid out options: hire part‑time transport workers (including retired or off‑duty officers), add full‑time transports or contract for services; officials noted constraints from FLSA and county employment rules when looking to use county employees for overtime on off‑duty assignments. The board voted to receive the transport budget with an additional $150,000 placeholder intended to fund part‑time transport capacity beginning July 1, 2026 (motion passed 5‑0).
On corrections, the sheriff said hospitalization costs and officer‑in‑charge/acting sergeant pay are increasing with the new facility and a larger inmate population; staff suggested a planning ratio of roughly 6–8 additional correctional officers for each additional 20–25 inmates as a way to estimate staffing needs if the county agrees to expand the federal inmate program. Supervisors received the sheriff’s fund presentations and asked staff to return with more detailed cost comparisons for charging townships and for shifting deputies between functions.