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Calvert budget proposal funds six school resource officers and 52-vehicle lease for sheriff
Summary
The FY27 staff-recommended budget includes funding for six new school resource officers to place an SRO in every county government school and a first-year lease adding 52 vehicles to the sheriff's fleet; Sheriff Cox also described needs for a modern crime lab and improved pay to match neighboring jurisdictions.
County staff told commissioners the recommended FY27 budget adds six school resource officers so that every county government school would have an on-site SRO, plus a first-year lease to add 52 vehicles to the sheriff's fleet. The county described these as investments in timely response and school safety tied to broader public-safety priorities and staffing vetting.
Sheriff Cox addressed the board and emphasized facilities and staffing needs beyond patrol cars: he described an aging building, the need for a crime lab and secure property storage, and requested competitive compensation to retain deputies. "I am responsible for 95,000 people, the safety of them, and the safety in our schools," the sheriff said, urging the board to consider long-term staffing and facility investments when setting priorities.
Commissioners discussed negotiation outcomes (collective bargaining, FOP) and timing; staff said the budget includes a step increase but did not include a cost-of-living adjustment because those negotiations are ongoing. The board did not take immediate action to approve personnel increases tonight but voted to keep the record open and asked staff to prepare commissioner-level adjustments.
