Sheriff and detention officials warn 10% cuts would force sworn-staff reductions and raise safety risks

Fremont County sheriff’s office and detention leaders told the county commission during a budget hearing that a forced 10% reduction in public-safety budgets would require cutting sworn deputy positions and would raise immediate public‑safety and staff‑safety risks.

The county’s detention presenter said the jail’s operating budget request is $5,490,000 for the coming year, an increase of about $436,000 from the prior request; after other reductions the budget still shows an overall increase of roughly $127,000. The presenter said the jail bases its budget on an average daily population of 150 inmates, “At 365 days, we’re looking at roughly the 14,000 per day overhead cost, and or $82 per inmate per day,” and described large, variable line items such as inmate food ($446,000) and inmate medical (budgeted at $278,000 this year).

“On the revenue end of things … we are $335,000 above receivables of anticipated receivables,” the presenter said, and listed anticipated income from commissary/telephone commissions and state/federal holding contracts that together total roughly $475,000 planned as revenue for next year.

The sheriff said a 10% across‑the‑board reduction would require eliminating multiple sworn patrol deputies and would have cascading operational impacts. “Losing 6 and a half deputy sheriffs, even losing 1 deputy sheriff, it basically throws a wrench into the entire operation and organizational structure that impacts public safety and officer safety,” the sheriff said, describing long patrol distances across the county, court and transport obligations, and the reliance on deputies to respond first to medical emergencies.

Speakers described how staffing shortfalls translate into more overtime, lower morale and longer training timelines; the sheriff and detention presenter both said some cuts would save salary dollars short term but increase overtime and safety costs elsewhere. The detention presenter said his modeled 10% cut would require eliminating three positions in detention to hit the target; the sheriff said his review of the patrol budget showed a 10% cut would equal roughly six to seven deputy positions in patrol.

Commissioners asked about mitigation options, including charging additional fees and reexamining line items; presenters said equipment and contractual obligations leave limited nonpersonnel savings. Several commissioners emphasized the need to balance staff recruitment and retention efforts with any cuts.

The presenters asked the commission to consider timing and operational risk before adopting large cuts and to allow follow‑up reviews later in the fiscal year if revenues or staffing change.

The commission did not take a vote on staffing changes at the hearing; presenters offered to provide more detailed scenarios if commissioners want to pursue specific reductions.