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Walla Walla County approves application for state deputy-hiring grant, rejects using road funds to pay for deputies
Summary
After hours of debate about sustainability and reporting requirements, the Board agreed 2-1 to apply for a Criminal Justice Training Commission grant to hire two entry-level deputies, but unanimously denied a separate request to divert motor-vehicle fuel tax funds to sustain those positions.
The Walla Walla County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday to authorize the sheriff's office to apply for a state Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) Public Safety Funding Program grant to cover 75% of the cost of hiring and training two new entry-level deputies. Commissioners also rejected a separate request to divert motor-vehicle fuel tax (MVFT) road funds to pay those positions.
Sheriff (present at the meeting) asked the board to apply for the CJTC award, saying the department has lost positions and needs help rebuilding squad capacity. "We're looking for innovative ways to get those positions back," the sheriff said, describing the grant as an opportunity to recruit entry-level deputies and then try to wean off supplemental funding over time. He added the grant is restrictive and that the department may need to change policies to meet state criteria.
Commissioners spent more than an hour questioning the sheriff and county staff about timing, training requirements, and whether county funding could sustainably support the positions after any state contribution ends. Commissioner Bertha J. Clayton said she supported applying so the county would not miss the March 31 application window: "I support applying for these CJTC funds," she said, while warning that accepting any award would require a separate decision about how to pay local match and long-term costs.
Commissioner Gunnar Fulmer said he shared the sheriff's staffing concerns but warned the county has no reliable pot of unrestricted money to absorb ongoing costs. "There's just not a lot of hope right now for new revenue," Fulmer said, citing recent state budget actions and cuts that reduce county flexibility.
The board approved the application 2-1. Chair Todd L. Kimball cast the dissenting vote on the application vote but later explained he supported applying for the grant in principle; the record shows a narrow 2-1 approval to submit the application, not an obligation to accept funds if awarded.
On a separate motion the sheriff had requested that the county divert a small percentage of MVFT (road) funds to anchor the local match for two deputies. County Engineer Joel Dickerson and Operations Director Dan Mack warned that Walla Walla County's road fund is already under pressure because of recent flood damage and large matching obligations on planned projects. Dickerson explained the road fund currently carries a structural shortfall and that diverting money to law enforcement could jeopardize planned maintenance and matching obligations.
The board voted unanimously 3-0 to deny diversion of MVFT funds. Chair Kimball said timing and flood-related road needs made diversion inappropriate now: "Public Works budget is worse now than it's ever been," he said. Commissioners noted that other counties have used road funds for law enforcement but said the practice carries audit and project-risk implications that make it unsuitable while the county addresses flood repairs.
The sheriff said he appreciated the board's time and would pursue other funding options if the CJTC process yielded an award, but acknowledged substantial policy and reporting requirements tied to the grant.
What happens next: The county applied for the CJTC grant; commissioners stressed that accepting any award will require separate review and an affirmative decision about where local match will come from and how the county will sustain positions once state funding ends.
