Kerr County begins what Judge Kelly describes as a difficult budgeting process

Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha requested significant funding increases during budget workshops that County Judge Rob Kelly described as potentially “very, very tough.”

Leitha asked commissioners to approve $283,084 in state Senate Bill 22 funds for his department, emphasizing the money comes from state allocations rather than taxpayer dollars. The sheriff plans to use the funds to reclassify three employees into a new administrative division, provide deputy stipends and potentially purchase in-car computers.

The sheriff requested funding for eight new Tahoes as part of a four-year vehicle replacement cycle, noting vehicle costs have increased more than 105%. Hail damage recently totaled four patrol vehicles, forcing the department to lease replacements at higher monthly costs.

Leitha also requested a $185,000 jail inmate scanner — an X-ray machine he plans to finance interest-free over two years through SB 22 funds. He asked for one additional jailer position to increase shift sizes and one new deputy position to boost patrol staffing to seven deputies over three years.

Rising jail costs present major budget challenges. Medical contractor Wellpath will cost an additional $264,045, which Leitha called “very, very expensive” but “very, very good.” Prisoner meal costs increased $24,000 due to food price inflation, while prisoner supplies rose $11,000 and maintenance contracts increased $20,000.

The sheriff emphasized his department handles extensive mental health transports — more than 618 hours last year — while covering the county’s large geographic area and providing 24-hour assistance to Ingram.

Budget workshops, broadcast on YouTube, will continue through late June or possibly July as commissioners address what officials termed “existential threats” to county services.

Key Elements from other department presentations:

Road and Bridge Department

• Requested increases for materials including cold mix, aggregate, asphalt/oil and road base due to bid increases
• Seeking capital outlay for motor grader, trailers, bucket truck, rollers, trucks and brush chipper
• Proposed projects at Flat Rock Park, West Kerr Annex and Youth Exhibit Center
• Overall budget decreased approximately $191,000 from current fiscal year
• Implementing hail protection measures including carports and container roofs

Animal Services Department

• Moving to new facility approximately three times larger than current building
• Eliminating two animal control officer positions and one part-time kennel tech
• Adding one full-time kennel tech position (net salary reduction of $7,360)
• Reclassifying Adoption Coordinator to Shelter Coordinator
• Deputy requested pay increase for Environmental Health and Animal Control deputies to match starting deputy pay

Other Departments

• Crime Victims office reduced budget $2,000 due to training frequency changes
• Human Resources showed slight budget decrease
• Indigent Health requested $100,000 increase due to spike in inmate hospitalizations
• Commissioners considering adding Juneteenth as county holiday