Gadsden County adds $594,428 to sheriff's 2025 budget, sets aside $210,000 for three nighttime deputies

GADSDEN COUNTY, Fla. ' The Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners on Oct. 2025 approved a $594,428 addition to the sheriff's law enforcement budget for fiscal year 2025'26, including $210,000 set aside to pay for three additional nighttime deputies on a reimbursement basis.

The board voted to cover $384,428 of the increase as a general transfer from fund balance and to hold $210,000 in a line item that the clerk will reimburse only after the sheriff's office submits monthly payroll invoices, county staff said. Officials said the funds come from a one-time return of unused Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) funding from the City of Midway that was deposited into the county general fund.

Why it matters: County staff and commissioners framed the action as a short-term step to respond to recent law-enforcement incidents and to bring the sheriff's staffing closer to the department's requested level for the 2025'26 year. The board directed the sheriff's office to report back during the summer 2026 budget workshops on the effectiveness of the additional nighttime officers before committing the county to ongoing funding.

County presentation and scope: During the budget presentation, staff said the sheriff originally requested a $1,119,000 increase during the 2025 budget process; the board previously approved some elements (including three nighttime officers) but not the remainder of the request. The approved $594,428 is intended to cover the remaining unmet needs identified in those discussions.

The $210,000 for the three deputies is structured as a reimbursement: the county will pay monthly invoices submitted by the sheriff's office for wages, up to the $210,000 cap, and the board will evaluate continuation when preparing the next fiscal-year budget.

Commissioner remarks: Commissioner Christian Woods said the allocation was needed given activity in the county after hours and urged the sheriff's office to provide clear reporting on what the additional officers are doing. "I think it's a real need," Commissioner Woods said, asking the sheriff's leadership to give the board “a clear picture, a snapshot of what happens in the county." Commissioner Sweeney also emphasized that public safety is a high priority and asked for regular updates on how the funds are used.

Outcome: The motion to add the funds passed on the board floor by voice vote (recorded as unanimous in the meeting record).

Next steps and oversight: County staff said the clerk will process monthly reimbursements upon receipt of invoices for deputy wages. The board asked for a progress update during the summer 2026 budget workshops to assess whether to continue funding in fiscal year 2026'27.

Budget detail (as discussed in meeting): Total fiscal impact: $594,428; transfer from fund balance: $384,428; dedicated reimbursement line for three nighttime deputies: $210,000. Source of fund balance: one-time returned CRA funding from the City of Midway (described by staff as about $1.2 million that had increased the unrestricted general fund balance).