Whitley County fiscal court approves $25,000 correction to sheriff’s 2024 payroll budget

The Whitley County Fiscal Court approved a $25,000 amendment to the sheriff’s 2024 budget at a special-called meeting, addressing an underbudgeting that left part of last year’s raises unaccounted for.

Presiding officer (name not specified) said the court and sheriff’s office met to clarify how last year’s raises had been entered into the budget and that the shortfall had been calculated “about $30,000,” while the court moved to a $25,000 amendment to correct the county’s books. The presiding officer also noted a recurring payment for the purchase of a K‑9 had been built into this year’s budget at about $5,000.

The presiding officer characterized a recent meeting with sheriff’s staff as "very constructive," saying the correction was meant to address a bookkeeping timing issue rather than to shortchange deputies. Sheriff Bill Elliott was present for the item but did not have an extended recorded exchange on the record.

After discussion, a motion to approve the sheriff’s budget amendment was made and seconded. The clerk conducted a roll call vote; members present registered affirmative responses and the amendment was adopted by roll call.

Next steps: the court concluded the advertised action by recording the amendment in the minutes so it can be used to support disbursements and accounting going forward.