Allendale County clerk warns $20,000 cut will force hire or staff pay split

Elaine Sabb, Allendale County clerk of court, told the council on Sept. 16 that a $20,000 reduction in her office’s budget removed funds previously used to cover a vacant position and would force either a new hire or a redistribution of duties among current staff. "If this request is not approved, she will have to hire an additional person which will cost the county an additional $10,000," Sabb said during the meeting.

Sabb said the salary plus benefits for the former position would be about $30,000 and that she was not requesting additional county dollars but rather that the existing funds remain available so she can either supplement current employees’ pay or avoid hiring. Council members asked for clarification about state stipends and other revenue sources Sabb uses to supplement wages; Sabb said those amounts vary month to month and offered to provide further detail in a closed session or behind the scenes.

After discussion, council agreed to reconsider Sabb’s budget at a public hearing on Sept. 30, 2021. Councilman William Robinson moved to place Sabb’s item on the Sept. 30 public hearing agenda; Vice‑Chair Matthew Connelly seconded and the motion passed unanimously. The council’s action was procedural: no additional appropriation or formal restoration of the $20,000 occurred Sept. 16.

Sabb also described the county’s Forfeited Land Commission practices, saying fees from certain forfeited-property sales are currently held in an FLC account (which she reported contains $4,380) rather than being routed directly to the general fund as had occurred under an earlier practice. County Attorney Walter H. Sanders noted the treasurer, auditor and clerk of court make up the FLC and that the council chair may serve on that commission; Sanders recommended title/deed work as needed to resolve ownership questions related to other agenda items.