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Sheriff outlines incentive-pay program; board to consider FY27 funding after monitoring uptake
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Summary
The sheriff described an incentive-pay program for deputies to compensate collateral duties. The FY26 budget included $90,000 but participation exceeded that amount; the department estimates a capped maximum of about $183,000 if all positions were filled and requested the board consider FY27 adjustments.
County staff and the sheriff briefed the Board about a new incentive-pay program for sheriff’s office personnel that compensates employees for additional collateral duties. The FY26 budget contained roughly $90,000 for the program, but the sheriff said that participation and previously uncompensated collateral duties meant demand exceeded that amount from the outset.
The sheriff described categories of collateral duties (tactical teams, certified functions such as commercial motor vehicle inspections, social-media monitoring and other responsibilities) and said some duties carry higher liability. The department has limited authorized positions for any single duty and proposed a per-employee cap of $5,000. If every eligible position were filled at the maximum, the sheriff estimated the program cap would be about $183,000; current projections put likely obligated amounts in the $125,000–$130,000 range before accounting for attrition.
Hathaway told the board that the sheriff currently has sufficient vacancy savings and unspent line items to cover current-year payouts and therefore no additional appropriation is required now. The board discussed how unused funds would be handled (Hathaway: unspent funds would roll back to the general fund at fiscal year end) and whether some certifications or pay adjustments could encourage retention; the board asked staff to include any needed adjustments in the FY27 budget process and to provide clearer documentation of eligibility and program administration.
