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Sheriff Mendoza asks board for five new deputies as office cites vacancy and overtime changes
Summary
Sheriff Mendoza told commissioners the office is authorized for 135 positions and requested funding to add five deputy sheriffs in FY27 (a fully‑loaded cost of about $579,131 for the five positions was later provided); staff cited reduced overtime and vehicle/fuel cost increases as notable line‑item shifts.
Sheriff Mendoza and Undersheriff Johnson presented the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office FY27 operating budget and asked the Board to approve funding for five additional deputy positions for the year.
"The Santa Fe Sheriff's Office is currently authorized for a 135 full time positions and 1 elected official myself," Sheriff Mendoza said, noting ongoing vacancies and a multi‑year goal to reach minimum staffing levels recommended by a recent staffing study. He said the office will leave roughly 50% of the budget for an incoming sheriff in keeping with state practice while operating safely through the transition.
Undersheriff Johnson summarized changes in the proposed operating budget, saying operating expenditures decreased year‑over‑year while the FY27 budget includes funding for five more deputies. He pointed to increased light and heavy vehicle expenses (noting fuel) and reduced overtime and software/service costs tied to prior one‑time studies. When asked about costs, Yvonne Herrera (county finance) said the five deputies were budgeted at a total added cost of $579,131 (about $115,826 per deputy fully loaded).
Commissioners asked about training, including integration with 988 crisis response and anti‑bias/anti‑racist training. The sheriff's office said training is a high priority and that state and grant funds (including the Law Enforcement Protection Fund) can offset training costs. Commissioners also pressed on shelter and veterinary caps for injured animals; the sheriff's office said it is negotiating with veterinary partners to cap emergency care while ensuring animal welfare.
What happens next: commissioners indicated support for the staffing steps but asked staff to return with detailed cost pages and training cost estimates; the sheriff's office will reserve time for additional questions and will work with the county manager on funding details.
