Board authorizes use of vacancy savings to fund pay increases in Commonwealths Attorneys office

The Board of Supervisors approved a motion authorizing the Commonwealths Attorney to use vacancy savings to fund pay increases for a deputy Commonwealths Attorney and a staff assistant within the FY26 budget.

Miss McBride (Commonwealths Attorney) and Miss Webb (staff) reported that grant funding secured from the Department of Criminal Justice Services would cover the deputy/VSOP position for calendar year 2026 and that vacancy savings in the Commonwealths office could cover the requested pay changes through the remainder of FY26. McBride outlined estimated recurring costs of about $27,800 for the deputy position and $12,030 for the staff assistant, and staff added that benefits raise the total near $39,000.

Board members expressed concern that using vacancy savings now could set a precedent for other departments to request similar mid-year adjustments next year, but several members supported the request as necessary to retain qualified staff in a unique office. After discussion the board moved, seconded and approved a motion to permit use of vacancy savings for the pay increases; minutes will reflect the language authorizing use of vacancy savings.