Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Sheriff Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners flag sheriff’s budget lines, urge review of SRO and courthouse security coverage
Summary
A commissioner said salary line items and SRO-related funds in the sheriff’s budget need closer attention; commissioners discussed that school resource officer (SRO) funding may be returned if positions cannot be filled and that courthouse security (bailiff) staffing should be considered for the next budget.
A commissioner raised concerns about the sheriff’s budget, saying some deputy-line items appeared underspent while other programs such as school resource officers (SROs) and courthouse security may face staffing shortfalls.
The commissioner said some SRO grant funds may be returned because the sheriff’s office cannot staff positions at current market wages; deputies on the roster are being reassigned and the county risks having to forfeit that funding. The commissioner said SROs that have been assigned to patrol or to trials are no longer eligible to be counted as active SROs under program terms, which reduces the county’s ability to use those grant funds.
Separately, the commission discussed an apparent need for dedicated courthouse security during court hours. A commission presenter suggested adding one or two full-time deputy positions (bailiffs) funded through current sheriff’s allocations, noting pay-period timing and remaining funds in deputies’ lines that could be reallocated.
Commissioners asked staff to study the sheriff’s budget in greater detail, pay close attention to deputy-line spending and present options for maintaining SROs and adding courthouse security at the next budget meeting.
