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Sheriff warns SRS reliance and staffing shortfalls could force cuts to patrol and corrections
Summary
Sheriff Shane Mitchell told the committee the Sheriff's Office is understaffed, depends heavily on SRS funds for patrol, and faces recruitment and retention challenges driven by benefits, PLO impacts and uncertain funding that risk reductions in services if SRS is discontinued.
Sheriff Shane Mitchell and command staff presented the Sheriff’s Office budget and warned the committee that staffing shortages and reliance on SRS funds put patrol and corrections at risk. Mitchell said the office is short four patrol positions and five corrections positions, and that recruitment is constrained by insurance and benefit packages as well as the year-to-year uncertainty of special revenue sources.
Mitchell described operational pressures in patrol and jail operations, noting the jail is operating two pods with staffing affected by long-term protected leave under Paid Leave Oregon (PLO). The department is exploring limited-duty deputies, partnerships with local colleges, and dual-certified positions that could allow staff to flex between patrol and corrections, though commissioners and staff raised liability and contractual concerns.
Command staff discussed equipment and technology needs — the fleet of 67 vehicles includes 11 slated for replacement — and the transition to Tyler Technologies for records management, which has produced dual-system costs because the jail retained EIS. The sheriff’s office is also evaluating alternative revenue options raised during the meeting, such as automated enforcement technologies, but officials cautioned about the limited net revenue and operational complexity of citation-based strategies.
Sheriff Mitchell reiterated that SRS funds currently support the patrol division and that losing those funds after 2027 would force a major operational overhaul or reductions in patrol and corrections. Training budgets were increased to reduce liability and maintain certifications. The committee recorded these concerns as part of the broader budget discussion; no formal action on new revenue tools was taken at the session.
