Sheriff backs promotion to cut overtime; county to buy body scanner with mixed funding

Seneca County’s Human Resources committee approved reclassifying one full‑time deputy sheriff position to sergeant after the sheriff presented overtime calculations and staffing realities.

The sheriff (identified by title in the transcript) said patrol sergeants face substantial leave time — including pass days, vacation, sick leave, comp time and holidays — and that the reclassification (an estimated $6,000 pay difference depending on placement on the pay scale) would likely save $25,000–$30,000 in overtime annually. He said the department currently has three deputy vacancies with conditional offers pending background checks and that training (academy) begins Jan. 20 for those hires.

Committee members asked whether the change would reduce street coverage, school resource officer availability or investigative capacity; the sheriff said the promoted sergeant would remain available to answer calls and back up patrol officers, and he reiterated staffing constraints prevented full SRO coverage at local schools.

At a separate Public Safety and Criminal Justice committee meeting, supervisors authorized acceptance of an $80,000 grant from the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York toward the purchase of a full‑body scanner for the county correctional facility. The sheriff and staff explained the total purchase price is larger (discussed later in the agenda as roughly $142,000), with $35,000 proposed from remaining 2025 patrol equipment funds and the balance from the grant and state forfeiture funds; supervisors discussed proper budget transfer procedure to avoid delay.

Both the reclassification and the equipment purchase were approved by committee voice votes and will proceed to the full board as part of routine agenda items.

Next steps: the reclassification takes effect after Jan. 1 if approved by the full board; staff will finalize the procurement and budget transfer method for the scanner purchase.