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Sheriff seeks radios, vehicles and pay changes in 2026 budget
Summary
Kaufman County Sheriff Beavers told commissioners the department’s proposed budget increases target life-safety systems, an aging radio fleet, additional deputies and pay-step acceleration to retain officers.
Sheriff Beavers presented the sheriff’s 2026 budget at the county’s budget workshop, saying the department needs new radios, life‑safety repairs at the jail and additions to sworn staffing to maintain operations.
Beavers told the commissioners he provided a large package of supporting documentation and detailed line‑item tabs so the county could review costs before final decisions. “I’ve gave you a book … it also has all the supporting data,” he said, noting he and county staff worked months in advance to gather quotes and contracts.
Why it matters: the sheriff emphasized several items as life‑safety priorities that he said would be more costly if deferred — specifically jail intercom/access control repair and replacement of end‑of‑life portable radios. He also asked the court to consider personnel and pay changes he said are needed to recruit and retain deputies.
Most important asks - Radio replacement: Beavers described a four‑year plan to replace a mix of 240 mobile and portable radios, prioritizing 65–68 portables in the first two years because parts for older portables are no longer available. He provided price estimates and supporting vendor quotes for the plan. - Jail systems and access control: The sheriff said previously postponed life‑safety work (intercom, access control) must be done this year to avoid inmate relocations and higher costs if the systems fail. - Vehicles and deputies: Beavers proposed adding four street deputies with four patrol vehicles and replacing two chief deputy vehicles that he described as seized vehicles in service for 10+ years. - Pay step acceleration and specialty pay: He asked the commissioners to move step pay from a 12‑year schedule to 8 years so officers reach top pay sooner, and proposed capped certificate pay (about $1,200) for instructors, drone pilots and SWAT members and continued bilingual pay for certified bilingual staff.
Supporting details and constraints Beavers said the department is relying in part on Senate Bill 22 funds for some equipment purchases and that the radios will require a maintenance contract and periodic tune‑ups. He flagged ammunition, training per diem and investigative support services as other areas that increased in the draft budget due to market costs and recent operational needs.
Quotes and attributions Sheriff Beavers: “So that’s why the book is as big as it is because we’ve got some big projects put in there.”
What remains undecided Beavers presented cost estimates and proposed program caps (for certification pay) but said final numbers will depend on grant awards, RFP outcomes and commission direction. He noted grants (for example for body armor or camera systems) may reduce some requests if awarded.
Ending The sheriff’s presentation left commissioners with detailed backup and line‑item tabs to review; he invited questions and follow‑up and said staff should contact him directly with any clarification needs.
