Burke County commissioners heard a request from the sheriffs office for an additional deputy and authorized hiring the position effective Oct. 1 if funds become available.

County staff told commissioners the sheriffs current-year budget is exhausted and there are no funds available in FY2025 to pay for an additional employee. A staff member identified as Merv said a recent resignation effective Oct. 1 will free funds for the new hire in the next fiscal year. Commissioners discussed whether to add the position to payroll immediately; the board chose to authorize hiring on Oct. 1 contingent on the availability of funds.

Commissioner Kelly moved to allow hiring the individual on Oct. 1 if funds are available; Commissioner Lively seconded the motion. The board approved the motion by voice vote (exact tally not recorded in the transcript). The transcript records the boards view that adding the deputy before Oct. 1 would not be appropriate because the sheriffs office had exhausted its current budget.

Discussion versus action: commissioners discussed the sheriffs request (discussion) and then voted to authorize the hire conditioned on available funds on Oct. 1 (formal action).