Sheriff requests $385.4 million budget, cites 204% overtime increase and jail medical as major cost driver

The Fresno County Sheriff's Office presented its recommended FY 2025'26 budget to the Board of Supervisors and highlighted rising overtime and jail medical expenses as principal cost drivers.

The office asked the board to approve a recommended budget of $385,400,000. The sheriff's presentation noted personnel costs of roughly $256 million, driven by negotiated contracts and overtime; the proposed overtime appropriation is $26.3 million, which the sheriff said represents a 204% increase from last year and is based on actual costs observed.

In the presentation the sheriff described recent one‑time and unpredictable costs that drive overtime, from wildfires and floods to large criminal investigations. The sheriff also said the jail medical contract is "the single largest contract in Fresno County's history" and said the office continually seeks competitive pricing and grant funding to offset costs.

The office showed a short video highlighting patrol staffing, volunteer search and rescue teams and specialized units including an internet crimes task force funded by grants. The sheriff requested continued board support for capital and technology upgrades including patrol vehicles, a search and rescue truck, K‑9 units, drones and a new dispatch initiative.

Supervisors asked about the coroner facility and the sheriff said a replacement coroner building is needed and that the county is working to include it in a broader facilities master plan.

Ending: The board did not take separate action on the sheriff's budget at the hearing beyond inclusion in the adopted county budget; the sheriff said the office will continue to pursue grants and operational changes to contain costs.