Employees and sheriff urge review of proposed 27-payroll schedule for 2026

County residents and officials raised concerns about a proposed shift to 27 payrolls for 2026 during the Jan. 5 joint meeting. Chris Boling told the council that "checks will be less" under the 27-pay schedule and urged reconsideration; Sheriff Brent Miller echoed concerns for employees. Joshua Everhart asked whether the affected workers are hourly or salaried.

In response, the council instructed County Attorney Alyssa Cochran to review the 2026 salary ordinance with employment (labor) attorneys and told employees the county would provide back pay if the ordinance requires adjustment. The council agreed to continue working on the payroll issue and to report back after legal review.

The payroll question centers on whether the 2026 salary ordinance, which the transcript indicates originally provided calculations for 26 pay periods, can lawfully or practically be implemented as written for a 27-pay schedule. The council did not take a final vote on changing the pay schedule during the meeting; the attorney review is the next procedural step.