Sheriff Bradley Kimble warns of lawsuit after county trims overtime budget

Sheriff Bradley Kimble told the Pendleton County Commission on June 16, 2026, that he has retained an attorney and is preparing to sue after reductions to the sheriff’s office overtime and on-call budget for fiscal year 2027. "The cut in overtime/on call budget of $30,000 is not enough to last the full fiscal year," Kimble said, adding later, "there will be a lawsuit" and that he has retained counsel in Charleston.

Commission President Carl Hevener and Commissioner Roger Dahmer pushed back in the meeting at the Pendleton County Courthouse, saying the commission has increased law-enforcement appropriations in recent years and must balance tighter revenues this year. Hevener said deputy overtime/on-call was reduced by $20,000 overall (about $5,000 per deputy) and questioned whether the bailiff needs $17,000 in overtime; he also said reports indicate not all deputies are answering every 911 call. Dahmer noted total law-enforcement appropriations had risen from $289,098 in FY2021 to $765,893 in the FY2027 budget.

Rick Gillespie, the county’s Emergency Services Coordinator, told commissioners the county’s 911 budget had been cut by $100,000 for FY2027, including roughly $60,000 in benefits tied to one employee who was called to active duty. Gillespie said that if the employee returns sooner than expected, the shortfall could shrink, but the cut creates a near-term budget risk. He also said parts of the OEM budget were reduced.

Sheriff Kimble said the overtime line is a single pool and "whoever needs it will use what is there," and he expressed concern that the combination of cuts could leave the department under-resourced. Commissioners said they have consistently supported law enforcement but that funds are constrained this year. No formal vote on the sheriff’s request was recorded; the discussion concluded with commissioners directing continued review of departmental budgets.

The commission is scheduled to meet again on July 7, 2026.