Elected officials raise concerns about proposed FY23 stipends during Louisa County budget follow-up

Louisa County elected officials raised concerns Feb. 1 about language and potential audit consequences tied to proposed FY23 stipends during a follow-up budget discussion.

Louisa County Auditor Sandi Sturgell told the board she had contacted Greufe for examples of other counties using stipends and had requested assistance for the auditor’s website; she said she had not yet heard back. Adam Parsons, who spoke during the discussion, said he and other elected officials worried the term 'stipend' and the proposed '3 and 3' payment structure could cause deputies in elected-official offices to exceed the 85% compensation rule and possibly require them to reimburse the county if auditors deem the payments improper. The minutes state Parsons was "afraid that those people would have to pay that back."

Brandon Marquardt said neighboring counties had given larger, double-digit increases to some positions, raising concerns about local competitiveness and recruitment. Chair Brad Quigley acknowledged the concerns and said they were noted; the minutes do not show a formal vote or change in policy at that meeting.

The minutes record the concern that a '3 and 3' payment would be "more than a 6% raise and more than the COLA," and that the stipend terminology and mechanics needed clarification before implementation. The record does not identify which neighboring counties were referenced or the precise stipend amounts; those details were "not specified" in the minutes.

No formal action or vote on stipends was recorded at the Feb. 1 session; the exchange was a discussion among the auditor and elected officials recorded as part of FY23 follow-up budget conversations.