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Members of the Montgomery County Board unanimously approved a budget for Fiscal Year 2019 during their monthly meeting Tuesday morning.

The approved budget includes a surplus of $8,293 in the general fund and will also allow for the hiring of a new full-time deputy in the sheriff's department after some creative maneuvering.

During the October meeting, Finance Committee Chair Megan Beeler informed the board that Undersheriff Rick Robbins had requested hiring an additional full-time deputy, stating that the sheriff's department was understaffed. At the time, Beeler said there was not enough money in the budget for that department to add a full-time position.

On Tuesday, Beeler told the board that County Clerk Sandy Leitheiser elected to fund one salaried position in her office using an automation fund, which is generated by fees paid from documents recorded. This move, coupled with $30,000 that was placed in the sheriff's department's overtime fund in October, will allow the department to fill the vacant deputy's position. Beeler and Robbins both thanked Leitheiser for her proactive decision. Leitheiser replied that her office was blessed to be in the position to make such a move.

The board will hold a re-organizational meeting on Monday, December 3, at 8:30 a.m. The next regular monthly Montgomery County Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 11, at 8:30 a.m.