The Fisher County Commissioners Court resumed many budget considerations carried over from its August meeting when officials held a public hearing ahead of adopting this year’s annual budget and tax rate. While officials avoided a tax increase in FY 2024-2025, the court adopted the controversial budget that saves public funds but closes the county jail when the new budget takes effect next month.
In late July, Fisher County officials learned of a significant $800 million reduction in total tax values, dropping from $2 billion to $1.14 billion compared to the previous year. Fisher County Judge Ken Holt noted then that the decrease would have a substantial impact on the county’s budget, leading to an estimated $200,000 shortfall and a likely tax increase.
In 2023-2024, Fisher County allocated $1.03 million for the operation of the law enforcement center. However, Holt’s 2024-2025 proposal would effectively shut down the county jail and reduce its budget to $523,755. This would result in the elimination of several jail staff positions, including an administrator, jail sergeant, and several jailers, though it would retain funding for around six dispatchers to maintain 24/7 911 coverage.
In early August, commissioners held a marathon meeting that lasted just over six hours, during which they reviewed the proposed budget line by line to identify necessary cuts and alternative solutions to keep the county jail operational. However, despite numerous approaches, officials have been unable to find a solution that allows the jail to remain open while avoiding tax increases or a deficit budget.
During Monday’s public hearing, the court resumed those discussions from last month, with Commissioner Preston Martin seeking confirmation that Holt had also included a 10% salary increase for his secretary, when all other Fisher County employees and elected officials received a 5% increase.
Holt confirmed it as a fact, saying he calculated an additional five percent for his secretary. “I think that she deserves five percent more, so I put it in the budget,” said Holt.
Martin said that while he could appreciate proposing the increase, he objected to the court adopting it. He said every department head would say they have valuable employees who deserve a raise, but allowing one to receive double what others receive will only deteriorate morale.
“I think that’s a bad policy to have,” said Martin. His fellow commissioners agreed, ultimately declining the single additional raise and adopting a 5% across-the-board increase for all employees.
Another sticking point for the court on Monday was regarding the funds allocated for the county attorney’s office. As Fisher County Attorney Michael Hall’s term expires on January 1, and no qualified candidates filed for a spot on the 2022 ballot, Fisher County will be without legal representation in the upcoming year.
Martin pointed out that the County was still budgeting roughly $100,000 to fund the department, even though it will likely remain empty until someone is elected to the office. If the county has no prospects for filling the vacancy, Martin said to him it looks like nothing more than padding in the budget at taxpayer expense.
However, Holt said that while it was true that no one was elected to the office, the County still required legal representation. He added that he had 16 cases to hear this month and 17 on next month’s docket.
Holt also informed the court that he has been in contact with Nolan County Attorney Elect Morgan Brooks, who has agreed to perform legal duties for $3,500 per month, which will likely be an item on the October agenda. Although commissioners could see the possible savings within the attorney’s budget, as well as other areas, those adjustments were still not enough to offset the anticipated shortfall associated with keeping operating the jail.
“We’ve got to be able to fund it also,” said Commissioner Gordon Pippin. “We’re $113,000 in the red. That’s a deficit budget.”
The Fisher County Jail has sat empty much of the time since it was constructed in 2016 and has not housed inmates since July 2023. While commissioners have agreed on their interest in seeing how the additional $225,000 in revenue from the SB 22 grant might affect law enforcement operations, officials have not seen it as a solution to the jail.
“For me, it seems like we’re trying to run a Walmart here, and make a profit as opposed to providing a service,” said Sheriff Pohlman during Monday’s court meeting. “This is a county service that we provide, and it costs the county money.”
Pohlman informed commissioners that currently, the jail is operating as a 72-hour holding facility but was fully staffed as of Monday’s meeting. It was the first time in five years that both the jail and deputies were fully staffed according to officials.
However, after more than a year of being closed, financial concerns persisted for the court.
Officials discussed that the county spent roughly $600,000 on jail operations last year with no inmates and insufficient staffing. Commissioners questioned how much more will might cost the county once the jail is fully operational with staffing and inmates.
Commissioner Micah Evans said that while he agrees with the sheriff that the county is supposed to provide services to citizens, it is also true that officials are expected to be wise with the citizens’ tax dollars.
“Right now, with the numbers we’re given to make decisions on, it shows we’re in a deficit budget,” said Evans, asking for a plan that made the numbers work out that would also allow keeping the jail open. “Because I’m not signing off on a deficit budget.”
While discussions continued, no alternative solution was presented that would allow the county to continue to operate the county jail without either adopting a definite budget or substantial tax increases.
The court adopted the roughly $5.8 million budget in a 3 – 1 majority vote. Commissioner Martin opposed adopting the budget, clarifying his opposition was because he would like to see further reductions to the county attorney’s budget.
The current budget will remain in effect until the new fiscal year begins on October 1, when the Fisher County Law Enforcement Center will be forced to reduce its staff. More information about what steps the county will take regarding the jail’s official closure will be shared when it becomes available.