Sheriff requests deputies and vehicle replacements; seeks simulator and increased overtime to match workloads

The sheriff’s office presented its FY26 budget request asking the commission to consider two new patrol deputies (reduced from an initial five), additional overtime funding, patrol vehicle replacements and a training simulator.

Presenters said the office currently staffs 44 patrol deputies but has seven vacancies; minimum staffing requirements and required training (including 11 hours of in-seat training mandated by the state) mean many training hours occur on deputies’ days off and contribute to overtime. The office asked for two additional patrol deputies to raise minimum staffing and reduce overtime exposure. The sheriff’s presenter outlined operational reasons for overtime — deployments, FMLA, court extraditions and training — and described an ongoing need to balance staffing and overtime pay.

On capital items, the sheriff sought funding for eight patrol vehicles (purchase plus upfitting estimated near $90,000 per unit) and listed a proposed immersive reality firearms simulator (approximate cost $145,090) to deliver reality-based training that multiple agencies could use. The presenter also described drug enforcement statistics for 2024 (seizures of vehicles, firearms, large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine and significant cash seizures) to illustrate the workload of specialized units. The commission asked for clarification on vehicle lifecycle and simulator grant opportunities; staff noted management had proposed pursuing grant funding for the simulator but included the request in the operational ask given training needs.

No vote was taken; the sheriff’s requests will be reviewed during the preliminary budget stage and staff said they will continue to pursue grant options where applicable.