Jasper County election board approves proposed budget and will forward it to council

The Jasper County Board of Elections voted to accept a proposed FY2026 budget and agreed to forward the package to county council for final approval.

The vote followed a staff presentation explaining that the budget figures shown on the packet separate the director’s taxable salary from total compensation, which also includes insurance and retirement costs. The director told the board the amount the board approved earlier is the taxable salary and that the packet includes an approximate figure for insurance and retirement that raises the total compensation figure.

Board members expressed concern about how the director’s pay increase would appear to council. One member said the council may view a substantial rise in the base (taxable) salary unfavorably and urged caution before approving a figure that could prompt a council rejection. The director responded that the board had already approved a taxable amount at a prior meeting and that council could return any line item for adjustment.

A motion to accept the budget was made and seconded; the meeting record shows the motion moved by Mister Ross and seconded by Mister Hartell, and the board approved the motion by voice vote. The director said the budget packet will be presented to county council, which has final authority to approve or modify the budget.

The board also discussed payroll classification, training-related travel reimbursements and how the county accounts for benefits when evaluating compensation. Deputy Director Ava read individual training schedules and upcoming workshops for board members and staff.

Next steps: the proposed budget will be transmitted to county council for its review and vote.