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Sheriff: jail population, filled vacancies and health costs drive $9.5M law-enforcement gap
Summary
Sheriff Brantley told Augusta City commissioners that a rise in filled positions, growing inmate populations and higher health-care costs left the law-enforcement fund with a projected $9.5 million shortfall for FY2026; the sheriff said an $8.7 million COPS grant under consideration would temporarily cover deputy salaries for three years.
Augusta City Administrator Tamika Allen and Sheriff Brantley told the commission the law-enforcement fund is the principal driver of the current FY2026 shortfall.
Sheriff Brantley said his office has filled long‑standing vacancies and is therefore carrying higher salary and benefit costs. "This grant will allow us to temporarily fund many of these critical positions, but is not a permanent solution," he said, referring to a COPS grant the office says is in final approval stages. Brantley said the grant would provide about $2.9 million per year for three years (totaling roughly $8.7 million) to support deputy salaries.
Administrat…
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