Floyd County Council rejects sheriffs Merit and Corrections officer contracts after budget concerns

A motion to fund two negotiated contracts for Floyd County Merit and Corrections officers failed on Aug. 13, 2024, after several council members said they had not received requested fiscal comparison materials.

Sheriff Steve Bush presented the contracts and told the Council his team negotiated a "fair salary and benefit package" staggered so both contracts would not come due the same year. County staff estimates were presented: "the overall impact to the County General Budget is $230,000.00 in 2024 budget adopted and 2025 requests," County staff member Stan Heil said during the meeting. Auditor Diana Topping added that there were no changes to benefit time or percentage-based increases in benefits.

Several council members said they wanted more detail before approving funding. Council member Tony Toran said he had requested a comparison at the prior meeting and had not received it; Brad Striegel said he was uncomfortable voting without more information. Council President Danny Short, who served on the bargaining team, defended the negotiations but the motion (moved by Connie Moon and seconded by Dale Bagshaw) failed 34. The ayes were Danny Short, Connie Moon and Dale Bagshaw; Tony Toran, Brad Striegel, Jim Freiberger and Denise Konkle voted no.

The sheriff said the department would "work through the budget and make sure it is balanced," and the council discussed bringing the contracts back with additional fiscal detail. Brad Striegel recommended the item be returned to the next agenda with the requested comparison. The council did not approve funding at the meeting.