Committee recommends $150,000 transfer to fund sheriff’s school-based junior deputy program

The Jackson County Anti-Crime Committee voted to recommend adoption of Resolution 22047, transferring $150,000 within the 2025 anti-crime sales tax fund to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office to fund a school-based law enforcement program.

Deputy Bestel of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office told the committee he is assigned to the Community Resource Unit and works with the Fort Osage School District teaching the junior deputy program. “I’m deputy Bestel with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. I’m assigned to the community resource unit where my main job is to work up at Fort Osage School District where I teach the junior deputy program, and I’m just asking to have the 150,000 transferred from the combat into the sheriff’s office so I can, purchase material for my junior deputy program for school and community events and stuff like that,” he said.

Committee members heard no questions and moved to a voice vote. A motion to adopt the resolution was made and seconded; the committee recorded three "ayes" and no opposing votes. The chair announced: “The Anti Crime Committee will recommend adoption of Resolution 22047.”

The committee said there were no ordinances in its agenda and one resolution for consideration. The transfer is intended to fully fund the sheriff’s described 2025 school-based initiative; additional implementation details, including a department schedule for spending or procurement, were not provided during the meeting.

The committee’s recommendation will move Resolution 22047 to the next stage of review by the full governing body for final action.