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Sheriff asks for 10 new positions, cites jail behavioral-health savings tied to opioid funds
Summary
Sheriff presented a budget request that includes 10 new positions (four patrol, four jail, two investigators) and pay increases to curb turnover. He also described an opioid-funded jail behavioral-health program that, citing ETSU analysis, recorded reduced recidivism and $2.1 million in savings over 17 months.
The county sheriff asked Washington County commissioners to approve a budget that would add 10 full-time positions and a raise aimed at retaining deputies and addressing rising call volume, transport burdens and specialty-crime investigations.
"I've asked for 10 new positions," the sheriff said, describing the mix as four jail positions to address transports and medical-holding needs, four patrol officers (one for each shift) and two investigators focused on fentanyl and child/internet crimes. He noted the cost implications for pay and equipment: fully outfitted patrol vehicles, training and benefits add materially to per-employee expenses.
The sheriff also described an opioid-abatement-funded behavioral-health program run inside the jail. He cited outcome data compiled with ETSU researchers and presented numbers to the commission: 1,158 inmates received behavioral-health services from August 2024 to December 2025 and the program produced substantial reductions in recidivism. "The behavioral health service program saved the county $2.1 million over a 17-month period," he said while urging continued funding to sustain the program.
Commissioners pressed the sheriff on turnover and comp-time liabilities. Staff reported a recent turnover decline (24 separations in the referenced period, with 18 moving to other agencies) and noted comp-time liabilities have fallen from prior peaks (historical liabilities exceeded $1 million; current total liability cited around $600,000). The sheriff said competitiveness with other agencies and private-sector pay is the primary retention challenge.
Budget committee members asked for a clearer recommendation on the tradeoffs between funding the sheriffs full request now and spreading certain costs to avoid exhausting dedicated opioid or one-time reserves. The sheriff recommended sustaining the program and hiring the additional positions this year to maintain public safety.
The commission scheduled further budget work with the sheriff up front at the next budget meeting.
