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Sheriff urges board to fund restored patrol/security position, cites 29% rise in calls
Summary
The Richland County sheriff asked supervisors to include funding (approx. $36,000 initial budget impact) for a previously unfunded position to improve court and port security and to buffer patrol coverage, saying call volume rose "29% from 2010 to 2023."
The Richland County sheriff asked the board to consider funding a previously unfunded position that would provide court and port security while adding patrol coverage, citing a sustained rise in call volume and increasing transport demands.
The sheriff said the position has been on the books since a 2010 retirement and that call volumes "are up 29% from 2010 to 2023," describing transports and court-security duties that have strained patrol staffing and sometimes required administrative staff to cover transports. He said failing to fill the position could increase response times and overtime costs and might risk lost contract revenue when the department cannot cover contracted patrol hours.
The sheriff estimated the immediate budget impact at about $36,000 (plus one-time equipment and vehicle costs later), and described possible downstream costs if transports require more expensive out-of-county placements. Board members discussed whether to include the position now or to present the final budget with or without it; a supervisor moved to include the funding and the board gave direction to incorporate the figure into budget planning rather than taking final action that night.
The item will be reflected in the preliminary budget options presented to supervisors before final adoption in October.
