Sheriff asks for deputies, transport capacity and replacement equipment; proposes planning funds for training facility

The sheriff told the commission the department needs to add personnel and equipment to meet growing transportation and patrol demands tied to county population growth and contractual obligations.

Key requests included two new corrections deputies primarily assigned to transportation to avoid pulling staff off minimum-security posts during heavy court and federal marshal transport days; two additional road deputies to respond to traffic, civil papers, and countywide service needs; and continued refresh of fleet vehicles by adding five patrol cars to maintain a reliable rotation and avoid catastrophic breakdowns. The sheriff also asked for six desktop computers and up-to-date laptops to meet Windows 11 requirements, and budgeted replacement of a commercial-grade dishwasher in the jail (roughly $41,000) and replacement of a jail van used for inmate transport.

The sheriff described mobile license-plate-reader (LPR) cameras in active use and said they have helped investigations, including a recent homicide investigation. He flagged the long-term cost questions around radio-tower upkeep and suggested exploring a user-fee model so those who use the radio system contribute to its replacement and maintenance.

On a longer-term project, the sheriff asked the council to consider $100,000 in programming/design funds this year to scope a training facility; department estimates in earlier planning placed a finished training building in the neighborhood of $2 million to $2.5 million. The sheriff said he preferred to plan carefully rather than request a large construction appropriation without design and cost certainty.

The sheriff's office said it is withdrawing a pending AI report-writing purchase for now after demos were unsatisfactory and that it will return with a vetted proposal if and when staff find a product that meets needs and county standards.