Committee approves salary adjustments so county can claim state reimbursements

The Finance & Audit Committee voted to approve item 7.4, which adjusts county salary lines so the public defender and sheriff track recent increases to the state's attorney's salary and secure corresponding state reimbursements. Committee staff explained state rules require the public defender's pay to be 90% of the state's attorney and, newly this year, the sheriff's pay to be 80% of the state's attorney's increase for the county to receive the reimbursement.

"This actually comes through every single year," a finance staffer said while explaining the statutory mechanism and why the resolution is needed to notify the state and to set new reimbursement amounts. Committee members asked about the total budgetary impact; staff estimated the net effect at about $9,000 and said the departments can absorb the change in their budgets. The committee voted to approve the item by voice vote.