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Public speakers and administrators spar over sheriff's budget share as board readies 2027 budget
Summary
Public testimony challenged how much of the county general fund the sheriff's office receives and whether public statements about homelessness reductions are accurate; County Administrator Gary Schmidt confirmed the proposed sheriff share is about 46% of the general fund, and commissioners emphasized placing percentages in dollar context.
Vice Chair Schroeder opened public comment on May 14, where several residents questioned the county's allocation of property-tax and levy revenues and the accuracy of public statements about homelessness.
"In actuality, the sheriff's office receives 46% of the general fund," said Shirley Morgan, who identified herself as an advocate supporting the sheriff's budget and asked the commission to consider increasing the sheriff's share before pursuing five‑year levies. She said county property-tax revenue "should not serve as a financial resource for all government requirements" and provided figure estimates for the proposed 2027 general fund.
County Administrator Gary Schmidt responded, confirming that "the proposed budget for the sheriff's office is now down to 46% of the general fund," adding that the department also receives contract-city revenue and levy dollars in separate buckets, which affect total resources.
At the meeting a private citizen and statistician, Richard Bargalski, challenged a separate public claim about homelessness trends. "Commissioner West often cites a 65% reduction in homelessness since he joined the board. There's just one problem. It isn't true," Bargalski said, saying the 65% decline occurred between January 2019 and January 2023 — before Commissioner West took office — and that point-in-time counts rose afterward. Bargalski asked Commissioner West to correct the record.
Commissioners repeatedly urged speakers to give both percentages and dollar amounts when discussing budgets. One commissioner said percentages "don't always paint the picture unless you take the percentage with the number," noting that contract, ELED and levy revenues sit outside the general fund percentage and can materially change how funding levels appear.
The board did not take formal action on the budget at this meeting; members said the budget process and a set of public budget hearings and committee sessions will provide additional opportunity for review and clarification.
What happens next: the county's proposed 2027 budget materials are posted online (announced at the meeting) and the board said it will continue detailed budget discussions and public outreach as the adoption process continues.
