Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Sheriff Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Supervisors approve Sheriff/Coroner budget after discussion of jail medical and aging facilities
Summary
The Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted the Sheriff/Coroner FY 2026‑27 budget amid questions about rising jail medical costs, aging correctional facilities, and planned accreditation and DNA lab work. The sheriff stressed staffing vacancies and wildfire readiness as ongoing pressures.
Sheriff Chris Clark presented the Sheriff/Coroner’s proposed $124.9 million FY 2026‑27 budget on June 11, which the Board of Supervisors approved in a 5–0 vote after a lengthy presentation and public comment.
Fiscal manager Monica Roachcha said the proposal includes a $9 million year‑over‑year increase in expenses driven largely by negotiated salary and benefit increases, a $1.25 million jump in the jail medical contract and a $2.5 million shift in property/liability insurance charges. The department requested 360 FTEs, a net increase of two positions tied to DNA lab operations and accreditation efforts.
Clark and his team emphasized long‑term risks: aging correctional facilities (the main jail is 47 years old), rising costs for jail medical and forensic services, and the need to replace body‑worn cameras and tasers nearing end‑of‑life. Clark described efforts to reduce fentanyl deaths—including a multidisciplinary overdose review team and targeted enforcement—and outlined progress on a Davenport service center and a north‑coast presence.
Board members questioned the use of reserves, the composition of vacancies and overtime pressures in corrections, and strategies to address mental‑health needs in custody. The sheriff said the department is pursuing state and federal grants when consistent with local policy and said he declined some federal grants over immigration‑enforcement language.
Supervisor Dura moved to approve the budget; Supervisor Koig seconded. The clerk recorded a 5–0 vote. The department will continue work on accreditation, the DNA lab, and long‑term facility and behavioral‑health strategies while monitoring grant opportunities and contract costs.
