Staff says stipend could work but user-fee budget is restricted

County staff told councilors that a one-time stipend could be provided to probation staff from an existing user-fee fund, but cautioned that the account is restricted and cannot be used for other purposes without a change in legislation. A staff speaker stated, "you can't really use that budget for anything else other than this," underlining constraints on flexibility.

Council members said they appreciate the stipend idea but remain concerned about rising costs—insurance and electricity were cited—and about creating ongoing obligations if the county adopts recurring wage increases. They asked staff to return with specific figures, including the size of the user-fee budget and how a three-percent or two-percent increase would affect payroll totals. Staff confirmed the stipend option is budgeted "in our user fee," but clarified that the account is limited in permitted uses until legal authority changes.