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Legislature approves use of seized-asset funds for sheriff equipment; limits on personnel spending affirmed
Summary
Legislators approved a revised seized-asset allocation for law enforcement equipment for the SRT team and clarified that seized-asset funds cannot be used for general personnel costs such as overtime.
Putnam County legislators on May 22 approved a revised increase in the use of seized-asset funds for Sheriff’s Office equipment and SRT-team needs, raising the approved amount from $502,963 to $531,563 in budgetary amendment 25A047.
The funding proposal was discussed in executive session and presented in public by committee members and sheriff’s office supporters. Legislators emphasized that seized-asset proceeds are restricted to permissible purposes and are not available for general personnel costs. "With the seized assets, is it specialized as to what you can spend the money on? Could it be used for personnel funding or it can't be?" a legislator asked; the response was: "No… Training and, equipment and accreditation."
Committee members and the public speaker who commented in support said the equipment purchases will enhance officer safety and operations for specialized teams; the sheriff’s board representative asked legislators to allow the expenditures given that the monies come from seized-asset proceeds rather than county taxpayer dollars.
The committee approved the revised amount by voice vote. Legislators asked the sheriff’s office to provide an equipment list and further documentation of seized-asset sources and to ensure purchases comply with applicable seized-asset spending rules.
