Richland County sheriff seeks extra deputy for court security; committee asks staff to present two budget versions

The Richland County sheriff told the public safety committee he is asking the county to fund one additional patrol deputy, primarily to meet statutorily mandated court-security duties and to reduce transport costs and overtime.

Speaking during the committee’s monthly reports, the sheriff said the office’s call volume and transport demands have increased in recent years and that adding the position would stabilize court coverage and even out patrol rotations. He said the request is modest relative to the whole budget but necessary to avoid repeated overtime and to maintain courtroom security that must be provided in person.

County staff said they will present two versions of the sheriff’s budget: one that includes the additional position and the wage increases the sheriff requested, and one that does not. A county staff member told the committee that the executive committee previously signaled a preference not to include new positions until a countywide wage study is complete, so staff will show a side-by-side comparison so the board can decide how to proceed.

Key numbers discussed at the meeting included the sheriff’s estimate that adding the position and applying wage increases would put his department about $44,800 above the 2024 budget (about a 1.1% increase). Staff identified roughly $56,246 in non-insurance savings that could offset some cost lines but cautioned insurance-driven savings are temporary and may reappear as expenses later.

Committee members also pressed the sheriff about cross-training for court security; the sheriff said the department has cross-trained patrol staff and uses jail-certified officers to help with transports when needed. The sheriff also briefed the committee on other operational needs, including ongoing wearable-camera video storage limits and an iCloud migration he asked the county to fund on a trial basis.

The committee voted to move forward with the staff recommendation to present the sheriff’s budget in both forms — with and without the new deputy — to executive finance, allowing the board to review trade-offs.

The committee also approved routine actions, such as monthly invoices and other procedural items. Next steps: staff will present the two budget versions for executive finance consideration and the committee will later weigh formal recommendations to the county board.