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Sheriff reports budget position and flags staffing uncertainty for Forest Service cooperative policing
Summary
Sheriff King reported the department is roughly one‑third through the budget year with revenues covering about 60–66% of goals and noted challenges in staffing potential cooperative law‑enforcement positions funded by the U.S. Forest Service; commissioners asked for further budget discussion at budget time.
At the April 28 meeting, Sheriff King reported the sheriff’s office had realized roughly $684,474.10 in revenue to date and observed the office is about 33% through the budget year and “brought in about 60 per 66% of our goals.” He said he routinely needs legal advice from the county attorney and praised County Attorney Bruce for responsiveness. The sheriff raised a prospective cooperative law‑enforcement arrangement with the U.S. Forest Service that might provide funding for part‑time seasonal coverage but said it is unlikely to be feasible for 2026 due to staffing and budget uncertainties.
King described difficulty locating retired or credentialed part‑time officers for summer work and warned there is no guarantee that federal/Forest Service dollars would be available in future years to sustain positions. He said he would bring options forward during the county budget cycle. Commissioners acknowledged the staffing challenge and suggested the sheriff present proposals at budget hearings.
