Four versions of what Warren County’s budget should look like for 2011-12 have emerged, and three contain pay raises for deputies and clerical staff in the sheriff’s department.

Raises of 5 to 8 percent for 42 positions from undersheriff to entry-level deputy are funded by redirecting more of the county’s 40.53 mills to the general fund, drafts of each version show. One version pairs a 5 percent raise with a 3 percent raise across all county departments. A second shows an extra 8 percent for the deputies and a 3 percent raise for 17 jail staffers. A third draft cuts the raise to 7 percent and throws in money for a third assistant district attorney.

Repeating a stance that’s held all summer, supervisors on Monday favored salary hikes for the county’s 270 or so employees.

“All I’m saying is get it wherever it is so we’re not deficit spending,” Board President Richard George said. A vote on next year’s budget is expected Sept. 6. The county’s fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

Spending totals $14.6 million to $14.9 million in the four versions under review. The only version with a surplus, at $2,239, shows no raises and rolls back salary for a jail population manager to $41,500 from $50,000. The post is unfilled. Smallest among three deficits created with pay raises in the mix is a $9,155 hole if the board OKs the 8 percent/3 percent package for deputies and jail staffers. Spending runs $76,174 in the red on the plan with the third ADA and a 7 percent raise for deputies.

This year, the board passed a budget that balanced $14.8 million in spending with no deficit at all — with no raises in the sheriff’s and road departments, both of which have gone without cost-of-living raises for three years.

Building cash reserves to avoid a fourth consecutive midyear loan would cover any shortfalls. About $2.185 million is expected in the reserves this year, a mark below the $3.5 million supervisors say is needed to avoid borrowing money. Raising pay in one department over another remains a contentious topic for the board.

“It’s got to be across the board for everybody, as far as I’m concerned,” District 4 Supervisor Bill Lauderdale said. “If we can afford one, we can afford them all.”

The sheriff’s salary is $78,000 and is set by state law, based on population. The road department’s managerial post pays $72,000 and is set by the county. Starting salary for a deputy sheriff in Warren County is $27,842, according to budget requests. Laborers on the road crew make about $17,000 annually and foremen about $34,000 to $41,000.

Requests for supplies in the sheriff’s department are fewer this year, all in the effort to preserve chances for a raise. More than $3.7 million in items to be spent in the Road Department include 5 percent raises for non-supervisory workers. Pay raises are also listed in the Information Technology Department’s request. A third ADA was funded by a federal anti-crime grant and was attributed to slightly less jail overcrowding this year. Another round of the same grant was denied this year, prompting the push to continue the position with county money. Such a position warrants at least five years experience and commands a salary-and-benefits package of about $102,000, according to budget requests.