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Board uses Sheriff's tuition reserve to finish undercover vehicle upfit, citing excess commissary-derived fund balance
Summary
The Board approved a $14,000 appropriation from the Sheriff's Office Tuition Assistance Reserve to complete an undercover vehicle upfit for the Narcotics Unit, noting the reserve was established in 2016 and is funded by jail commissary proceeds with an expected FY2025 balance above $90,000.
The Transylvania County Board on Feb. 23 authorized use of $14,000 from the Sheriff’s Office Tuition Assistance Reserve to pay for the upfit of an undercover vehicle for the Narcotics Unit.
County staff explained the Tuition Assistance Reserve was created in 2016 and is funded through jail commissary proceeds; the account has accumulated a balance expected to exceed $90,000 at the close of FY 2025 while tuition reimbursement demand remains limited. Staff said excess funds have been used previously for capital needs in the Sheriff’s Office.
Although funds were adequate to buy the vehicle itself, staff said the current vehicle upfit budget did not cover all associated costs for this fiscal year and requested the transfer to complete the upfit while preserving reserves for future tuition assistance. Commissioners discussed recruitment and retention, the incentive value of tuition assistance, procurement timelines, and vendor delays.
Commissioner Jake Dalton moved to approve the request; Commissioner Larry Chapman seconded, and the Board approved the appropriation unanimously. Staff confirmed remaining reserve funds will carry forward to future fiscal years.
