Board hears budget shortfall forecast and weighs sheriff’s proposal to reassign positions for pay increases

County staff told commissioners that after adjusting for previously identified issues the county had covered an $841,000 shortfall for the current year but now faces a projected gap of roughly $500,000 for the next fiscal year. Staff proposed options including not immediately filling vacant positions, pursuing federal and state grants, leasing surplus property and exploring shared/regional service delivery to reduce expenditures.

The sheriff appeared and said he would freeze three deputy positions and an administrative post to free funds for pay increases for deputies, citing turnover and the need to be competitive with neighboring counties. "Our deputies are toward the lower end compared to our surrounding counties," the sheriff said, adding that recent resignations were tied to pay concerns. Commissioners debated whether to pursue an immediate reallocation and asked staff to produce comparative salary data. A motion was proposed to request a formal salary study; the board moved to do the study and separately considered honoring the sheriff’s request to reassign positions, which received real‑time debate and recorded dissent.

Several commissioners emphasized the need to consider impacts across departments, including social services and EMS, and asked for precise numbers and a formal recommendation before approving staffing eliminations or pay reallocations. The county manager/staff urged more analysis to balance public‑safety needs and fairness to other departments before final action.