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Commissioners pull firearms purchase from consent agenda, urge countywide policy before buying
Summary
After public comment flagged a budget transfer to purchase firearms, commissioners approved the rest of the consent agenda but reserved the firearms purchase for separate action, with multiple commissioners urging development of a countywide firearms policy first.
During the consent agenda, a speaker highlighted a departmental budget transfer to buy firearms. Commissioners approved the consent items with an exception for the firearms purchase and instructed staff and the sheriff’s office to return with more information and a countywide policy proposal before proceeding.
One commissioner urged deferral "until we have such time as we can adopt a policy"; other commissioners voiced concern about piecemeal approvals and the need for uniform county policy to avoid a domino effect of inconsistent practices. Staff noted some past firearms purchases were funded from forfeiture or certified revenue and that the sheriff’s office has previously purchased equipment through those accounts. The court took no action on the firearms purchase at this meeting.
