Commissioners and staff debate how to treat 'vacancy savings' in FY27 budgeting

Commissioners and finance staff spent a segment of the July 16 meeting discussing the definition and treatment of "vacancy savings" in the FY27 budget.

A commissioner asked whether vacancy savings apply only to positions left open with the intention of refilling them or also to positions eliminated permanently. A county staff speaker responded that practices vary across governments and noted that vacancy-savings routines can be driven by how legislatures fund personnel. "The legislature will underfund personnel by 3 to 5 or 7%. That's what the vacancy savings rate is," the staff member said. The staff member characterized the vacancy approach as a prescribed delay to replacing general-funded positions.

The presenter suggested the commission adopt a countywide policy that explicitly states whether vacancy savings are earmarked for payroll or may be moved into operations. The presenter also raised the related point that if vacancy savings roll into operations it affects how departments pay out accrued sick and vacation leave when employees depart and recommended clear guidance to departments and the incoming finance director.

Commissioners asked for clarification and indicated they want a consistent, written approach so departments know whether and how to use vacancy savings during budgeting and cash-flow decisions.