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Sheriff urges help with staffing as jail costs strain Lyon County budget
Summary
Sheriff reported rising activity and staffing shortages, proposed a mix of full- and part-time hires and announced a new 501(c)(3) foundation to support deputies; the court also discussed costly pretrial jail stays and plans to explore housing options with neighboring counties.
Lyon County's sheriff warned the Fiscal Court on Jan. 9 that rising calls and limited staffing are increasing strains on the department and the county budget.
In his report the sheriff said December activity has increased over recent years and that the department is trying to "do more with less," requesting help to identify funding for at least one full-time position and possibly a part-time position. He announced formation of a Reiner County Sheriff's Office Foundation, a proposed 501(c)(3), to provide charitable support for deputies facing extraordinary expenses and to fund equipment; local attorneys and CPAs volunteered donated services to help set up the group.
The court also heard concern from the presiding officer about costs the county incurs when people are held in the local jail ahead of court: Speaker 2 described paying roughly $36 per inmate per day and cited an example that resulted in about $1,200 in county costs for continued detention pending court. Speaker 2 said she would meet with neighboring counties that have extra jail capacity to explore cost-saving transfers and present findings to the jail committee.
The sheriff asked the court for assistance in recruitment and for help identifying funding sources; officials said they would continue to evaluate options and return with recommendations.
