Sheriff details staffing shortfalls and rising jail medical/food costs; community providers say grants ended and programs were paused

Sheriff Alicia Dyer told the county Board of Commissioners on June 4 that her office is facing persistent staffing vacancies, higher-than-expected contracted medical and food costs in the jail and a constrained public‑safety millage that limits flexibility for unplanned overages.

Dyer opened by reading the sheriff’s new mission statement: “Together we are committed to creating a safer or just and compassionate Washtenaw County for all.” She said that renewed community engagement, revised traffic‑stop policy and a new internal wellness team have been implemented in her first 100 days. Dyer said the department has focused on recruiting local hires and improving training and mental‑health supports for first responders.

But she told commissioners persistent vacancy and cost pressures remain. She said the sheriff’s office budgeted 359 FTEs and had roughly 70 current vacancies, with the largest gaps in union‑mandated areas: about 29 vacancies in the jail, 27 in road patrol and eight in dispatch. Dyer said those vacancies drive overtime and that vacancy…