Belknap County sheriff reports full staffing, training milestones and seeks preapproval for short-window grants

Sheriff Bill Wright said the Belknap County Sheriff—s Office is —fully staffed and fully trained— and described recent professional development and certification gains for deputies and administrative staff. He told the Board of Commissioners on Aug. 1 that two clerical employees earned nationally standardized child passenger safety certificates and that deputies are progressing through reconstruction and FBI supervisory training programs.

Wright flagged one budget line showing an over-expenditure for advertising tied to a required sheriff—s sale but said he expects the associated revenue to offset the expense. He also previewed several federal grant opportunities that open with short application windows and urged the board to permit department heads to apply quickly when such grants become available.

Commissioners agreed to a motion to preapprove applying for eligible short-window grants when they open. The board approved the motion by voice vote.

Wright also outlined a fleet plan: the department aims to lease two cruisers per year to maintain up-to-date equipment and to avoid retrofitting older vehicles. He said leasing provides consistent replacement on a six-year equipment cycle and preferred continuing the lease program to purchasing vehicles outright.

The sheriff shared that the department received letters from both defense counsel and the state attorney general praising deputies— professionalism after an emotionally charged homicide trial that required extended staffing and transport duties.

The board did not adopt new budget authority at the meeting; commissioners instructed staff to return any grant awards or requests for additional spending for formal approval at a future meeting.

Wright said he would bring any immediate short-window grant opportunities to the county—s attention and pursue internal or procedural steps to enable timely applications.