Lancaster County budget update: vacancies fall but personnel costs press growth in 2026–27 plan

County budget staff presented a mid-June update on personnel and salary projections as Lancaster County completes departmental budget hearings.

Assistant Budget and Fiscal Officer Kevin Nelson told the Board the county had 912 filled full-time equivalent positions of 937 budgeted positions as of June 1, leaving 24 vacancies—an improvement from 59 vacancies the previous year. Nelson said estimated vacancy savings for the current fiscal year total approximately $2 million, which helped offset about $1.35 million in unbudgeted costs tied to recent salary increases and employer pension and FICA obligations.

Nelson also displayed proposed 2026–27 budgeted salaries and benefits of approximately $108.8 million, an increase of roughly $4.4 million (4.2%) over the prior year. He cautioned that the estimate did not yet reflect potential reclassifications, new position requests, or anticipated health-insurance cost increases; Budget Officer Dennis Meyer indicated a premium increase of at least 10 percent may be necessary for the county’s self-insured plan.

Corrections supervisory pay: Corrections Director Brad Johnson raised concerns about salary compression affecting sergeants, lieutenants, and jail administrators. Johnson said officers and other represented employees have received increases of roughly 31%–34% since 2020, while supervisory positions under discussion have received about 22.4%. He recommended consideration of Option 3—a two-grade-step increase phased over two years—to restore the pay differential and reduce turnover risk; the Board requested additional minimum and maximum range data and did not take immediate action.

Sheriff’s vehicle: Under Item 4C, Chief Deputy Ben Houchin reported a deputy’s patrol vehicle was totaled after a collision while responding with lights and sirens to a domestic-violence call; the deputy was treated and released. Houchin said a replacement patrol vehicle and outfitting will cost about $70,000 but that the department has sufficient funds in its current budget. He urged prompt ordering because of lead times for law-enforcement vehicles; any insurance recovery is expected to be recognized in the next fiscal year.

Next steps: Budget items, including salary proposals, position requests, and technical appropriation amendments (including an additional appropriations request of approximately $70,500), will be included in upcoming regular Board budget deliberations; the Board asked staff to provide additional pay-range details and encouraged submission of further questions ahead of July budget discussions.