Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sheriff raises possibility of increasing decades‑old widow's benefit; council asked to consider costs
Summary
Sheriff Tony Skinner told the council that the county’s widow's benefit (about $200/month) has not changed in decades and that doubling it would be expensive — a back‑of‑the‑envelope estimate shows roughly $60,000 a year — and asked interested council members to discuss options.
Delaware County Sheriff Tony Skinner told the council that the county’s longstanding widow's benefit — $200 per month for eligible surviving spouses — has been unchanged for decades and some constituents have asked for it to be increased to $400–$500 per month.
Skinner said a quick estimate provided by county staff suggested doubling the monthly benefit to $400 could increase annual county costs by roughly $60,000 because of actuarial formulas embedded in the pension calculations. He said he was not asking for a decision at the meeting but would remain after the meeting for any council members who want to discuss options.
Council members asked whether the estimate represented a one‑time or annual cost; staff clarified it would be an annual increase if adopted. Skinner said he has not commissioned a formal actuarial study because of the cost but that staff could pursue a formal analysis if the council wanted to consider the change.
