Administrator outlines budget timeline as Victim's Assistance request rises to $114,600

Administrator and Clerk Vickie Ziemba presented the interim budget timeline and highlighted funding questions for Victim's Assistance during the Nov. 20 session. Ziemba said the program was funded this year by a 90/10 split between opioid funds and the general fund, totaling $87,975.50, and that the 2026 request is $114,600.

Ziemba noted that "it appears there are 3 people being paid from that fund now to some degree" and that one position is a part-time employee. She said the $114,600 figure "is with Ms. Border anticipating a 5% raise." Ziemba asked whether the same criteria for opioid funds would apply next year and said those arrangements would be implemented by resolution.

She also reminded the board that two departments, Sheriff and Buildings & Grounds, have union contracts that expire Dec. 31, and that any negotiated increases would need to be reflected in the final budget. Ziemba said she would send the interim budget to the board for review and asked commissioners to return their direction to her the following Tuesday so she could forward the documents to the auditor.

The board did not take final action on the Victim's Assistance request at the Nov. 20 meeting; the matter will be finalized through the county's budget process after auditor review.