Warren County committee approves $598,001.71 transfer to cover Teamsters settlement and corrections overtime

The Warren County Finance and Budget Committee approved a transfer of $598,001.71 from the general fund unappropriated surplus to cover a Teamsters contract settlement and to add funds for corrections overtime.

The transfer reflected roughly $298,000 to cover the Teamsters settlement (including fringe) and a requested $300,000 top-up for corrections overtime, which county staff said would cover overtime through the end of the year so the committee would not need to revisit a transfer later. County staff said, “If we don't use it, it goes back into the fund,” when explaining the transfer's mechanics.

The request drew debate about whether the full $300,000 was necessary. Supervisor Cressido proposed cutting that portion to $100,000 to encourage closer overtime management; other supervisors pushed back, saying operational needs — including medical and transport duties that require two officers and long shifts — make overtime hard to predict. The county administrator explained that the $300,000 figure reflected both the settlement cost and the overtime projection: the Teamsters settlement increased salary costs by roughly $298,000 after fringe, and corrections overtime has already spent about $286,000 in the first half of the year.

Supervisor Mayday moved the transfer to the floor; Supervisor Durachi seconded the motion. After discussion the committee called the question and approved the transfer.

The committee record notes the vote as an approval; specific roll-call tallies were not recorded in the discussion transcript provided.

The committee also discussed the underlying causes of overtime in the sheriff's corrections unit — illnesses, light-duty assignments and prisoner transportation — and said the treasurer and county leadership will continue to monitor overtime usage and department staffing levels.