County agrees to $500,000 SRO funding cut and directs phased move toward 50/50 split after state funds; millage rollback fails

The Board of County Commissioners approved a suite of actions related to funding for the School Resource Officer (SRO) program. By a 3–2 vote commissioners agreed to reduce the county’s contribution for this budget year by $500,000 and directed staff to plan a two‑to‑three‑year phased reallocation aimed at reaching a 50/50 split with the school district after deducting state safe‑schools allocations. A separate motion to immediately lower the county ad valorem millage to return the $500,000 to taxpayers failed on the board floor.

Chair opened the discussion by stressing the need to protect school safety while seeking a more balanced long‑term funding arrangement. "I would not have brought it to this board at all if I thought it in any way reduced safety," the Chair said, explaining the negotiated approach. Sheriff Hayden cautioned that if the school district did not make up the shortfall, a reduction in contribution could lead to fewer SROs: "If there's a $500,000 reduction... then yeah... it would reduce the SROs," he said. Commissioners directed staff to inform the school district of the board’s intent and to return with a phased plan and communications to stakeholders.

The debate highlighted concerns about statutory responsibility (the school district receives state safe‑school funds and is the statutorily responsible entity for SROs), budget timing and the potential impacts if a separate homestead‑exemption ballot measure passes this fall. Commissioners also asked staff to prepare written notice to the school board about the county’s direction for next year’s budgeting.