County shifts funds to jail wages as sheriff's office reports recruitment shortfall
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Summary
Commissioners were told the sheriff's office restructured positions and moved roughly $51,000 to the jail's personal-services budget to improve starting wages as the department struggles to recruit and retain staff.
The Neosho County Sheriff's Office presented a budget update in which personnel restructuring reduced some deputy and detention positions and shifted funds to the jail’s starting wages to address a staffing shortage.
A sheriff's-office representative said the county eliminated one full-time deputy position and one detention officer position in a March restructure and moved about $51,000 into the jail personal-services line to increase starting wages and attract applicants. “We get applicants that either don't show up for testing or can't pass background,” the representative said, describing recruitment hurdles.
The presenter said the jail has limited experienced staff beyond the captain and lieutenant and that commissioners should consider broader wage and retention measures, including the county-wide wage-study and step increases previously discussed. No vote or formal adoption of wage changes occurred during the work session; the funds movement reflected line-item adjustments presented for commission consideration as part of the budget process.
Commissioners asked questions about staffing and expressed interest in retaining deputies with experience. The sheriff's office representative said the department would continue recruitment and monitor whether the $51,000 shift helped attract new hires.