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Kootenai County approves $2.7 million overtime budget for jail, funds come from master plan balance
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Summary
After extended debate about shifting projections and accounting categories, the Kootenai County Board of Commissioners approved a midyear increase to the jail overtime budget to $2,700,000 (unloaded), to be funded from the facilities master plan assigned fund balance, and asked for periodic updates from sheriff’s staff.
The Kootenai County Board of Commissioners voted to increase the jail overtime budget to a total of $2,700,000 (unloaded), directing that the funds come from the county’s facilities master plan assigned fund balance and asking sheriff’s staff to report back periodically on spending.
Captain Jeremy Heil, who presented updated overtime estimates, asked for $1,300,000 (unloaded) for the remainder of the fiscal year and explained that figure converts to roughly $1,600,000 when loaded with benefits and related costs. Heil said the department had continued to analyze overtime needs since an April 16 presentation and requested board direction on funding.
Why it matters: Commissioners pressed for stable, substantiated numbers before budget season given repeated midyear adjustments. Board members described prior years’ overtime levels as rising and said unclear or inconsistent figures make long-term budgeting difficult.
During deliberations, sheriff’s office representatives argued that court-ordered transports, hospital security, and other operational demands drive overtime and that better categorization of overtime (court, security, appointment, floor deputies and other categories) is needed. Robert Morris noted prior-year overtime totals and said a $2.7 million unloaded amount is consistent with recent historical usage.
County budget staff told commissioners that the only readily available source for midyear funding was the facilities master plan fund balance; Brandy Falcon said roughly $9 million remained assigned in that fund and that the $1.3 million unloaded request equated to about $1.6 million loaded, which would be withdrawn from the master plan balance if the board approved the request.
Commissioners repeatedly emphasized the need for realistic, reproducible estimates. “When you put forth a number, it’s a number you can live with,” the chair said, urging the sheriff’s office to present substantiation and trend analyses going forward.
Action taken: A motion to set the overtime budget to $2,700,000 (unloaded) and to draw the funds from the facilities master plan assigned fund balance carried. The board asked that sheriff’s staff return every few months with updates and supporting spreadsheets so the board can track trends and better anticipate overtime needs.
What’s next: The department will proceed with the approved funds and provide regular status updates to the board as requested.
