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Sheriff outlines $58,183 net FY26 request, flags radio replacements and K‑9 vehicles
Summary
Sheriff Baker told commissioners his office’s FY26 budget request is roughly $58,183 over a flat budget after step‑scale realignment and equipment consolidations; he warned of sizable future costs for radio replacements and described requests for K‑9 and patrol vehicle replacements.
Sheriff Baker presented the sheriff’s office FY26 budget to the Caroline County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 25, saying the department’s request was"over flat is gonna be $58,183" after a mix of pay‑scale realignment and adjustments to communications and reimbursable services.
The sheriff said the request reflects several line‑item shifts: a proposed $26,086 adjustment to smooth pay‑scale steps, consolidation of mobile data terminals with cell‑phone lines and an asked $6,000 increase to reflect current billing, and increased reimbursable overtime because towns and events are paying for deputy services. "That also includes our cell phones," the sheriff said as he explained the MDT/telephone consolidation.
Finance staff working with the sheriff estimated some offsetting reductions in operating lines, producing a department‑level net increase closer to $44,000 after accounting for savings on insurance and other actual spend.
On equipment, Baker said the department is on a combined Motorola contract for radios and body cameras and that in‑car and body cameras were purchased largely with state grants. He cautioned the board that radio replacement will be a substantial future cost: "we're gonna have radio replacements coming up in the coming years, which is gonna be a substantial amount of money." Captain Helmer, who manages Motorola contracts, joined that discussion.
The sheriff also outlined a $361,540 capital request that includes K‑9 vehicle replacements (two narcotics dogs expected from forfeiture funds and a spare K‑9 vehicle) and two patrol vehicles; he described one patrol vehicle with known transmission issues that Public Works said it can remanufacture in‑house to reduce cost. Baker said one animal control vehicle already has about 50,000 miles and needs replacement to bring the animal‑control fleet current.
Commissioners asked how the sheriff’s office fits into the county’s larger radio and Motorola planning. Sheriff Baker and staff said county‑wide inventory work is under way so the county can plan a phased radio lifecycle replacement that would include portable and mobile radios used by sheriff, emergency services and other agencies.
Why it matters: The sheriff’s FY26 ask combines personnel cost changes with recurring telecom/MDT costs and near‑term vehicle replacements. Commissioners flagged radio replacement as a county‑wide multi‑year cost that will affect budget planning across public safety departments.
Sources: Remarks by Sheriff Baker and finance staff during the Feb. 25 Caroline County FY26 budget workshop.
