The latest budget reductions announced by Gov. Tim Kaine in early September included a 4.7 percent cut for sheriff’s offices.
Given the budget cuts to the Charlottesville Sheriff’s Office, what are your priorities? What programs would you consider funding and which one would you consider cutting?
Paul Best, (I)
These are tough times for all of us. Certainly the goal is to continue providing services to the community without increasing the burden on the taxpayers. One has to first look at what the budget reduction means in terms of real dollars. The State’s estimated budget for the Charlottesville Sheriff’s Office is $431,022—prior to the 4.7 percent cut. The cut then, is $20,058 of state support. The City of Charlottesville contributes the remainder of the Sheriff’s Office budget. The true impact of the state budget cut is approximately two percent of the overall sheriff’s budget. So this is what we are dealing with—making up two percent of the budget.
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Paul Best |
The core services which the Sheriff’s Office provides are mandated by State law. These core services are, of course, my priority. All of the core programs must be funded and I pledge to find a way to accomplish this. With this in mind, I have spoken with members of the City Sheriff’s Department, the city budget office, and Captain Shifflett with the Albemarle County Sheriff’s Office in an effort to find the means to increase efficiency and cut costs. In fact, the only current non-mandated program is the TRIAD program, which accounts for only approximately $200 (the cost of dues).
Certainly, savings can be found in any budget without affecting the service to the people, and I have already found some potential savings. The bottom line is that each expenditure must be evaluated to determine if a function can be done cheaper or if it is an essential cost. This would apply to vehicle replacement, books, cell phones, office equipment and every cost associated with running the Sheriff’s Office. I also intend to examine alternate sources of funding such as local, state and federal allocations to bridge this temporary economic crisis.
I would also personally take over the security of City Council meetings. This, in and of itself, would result in a real savings of approximately $4,000 for the City of Charlottesville. Working this venue would be one way for me to hear the concerns of citizens and be more responsive to needs of the community which the Sheriff’s Office might be able to fill.
I would move forward with the Gang Reduction and Intervention Program and the Reserve Deputy program. The first is essential for a healthier city and the latter would help increase efficiency and reduce overtime and special events costs. Neither of these would entail significant amounts of money to create or maintain.
I think the challenges during these tough economic times can be overcome by working together, finding imaginative solutions, and soliciting input from the staff and community.
James Brown, (D)
I have met with the Commissioner of Revenue and reviewed the Compensation Board’s fiscal year 2010 budget for the Sheriff’s Office. One thing to consider is that the local government supplements the monies allotted to the Sheriff’s Office by the Commonwealth. As a result, the 4.7 percent cut from Governor Kaine may end up being less of a cut for the Sheriff’s Office on the bottom line. Accreditation, once achieved, is rewarded financially so that can help with the budget reduction. I will also look for other sources of funding such as grants. Currently, the Sheriff’s Office budget does not really allot funds for any interactive programs and my programs do not require funds from the Sheriff’s Office.
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James Brown |
My priorities are public safety, the timely processing of paperwork and environmental impact. These incorporate the state mandated duties of court room security, the safe transport of inmates and people with mental health issues, and the processing of various civil papers. With the exception of the environment, my priorities and the mandated duties are basically the same.
The PALS youth program is federally funded, so there is no additional cost to the community or Sheriff’s Office. I will also be calling on businesses in the area to help (if needed) by donating drinks and lunches for the learning field trips we may take. Adding a few volunteers will not have any additional costs for the Office. They will actually help with the PALS program and other duties around the Office as needed.
We will continue working with the elderly through TRIAD. I will also make sure that the deputies are trained in crisis intervention techniques. This will enable the deputies to better handle situations with people with mental health issues experiencing a crisis. This free training is implemented through the Thomas Jefferson Area Crisis Intervention Team (CIT). These programs do not cost the Sheriff’s Office anything.
The introduction of hybrid vehicles will not have any additional costs for the Office. As vehicles need to be replaced I will phase in hybrid vehicles to actually save money for fuel costs. We can also examine all use of Sheriff’s Office vehicles to look at reducing fuel costs for the current fleet. Less fuel usage would provide savings to the Sheriff’s Office and benefit the environment.
As Sheriff, I will continually work to keep the public and the deputies safe. I will make sure we process civil papers in a timely manner. I will ensure that our carbon footprint is reduced and we make a more positive impact on the environment. As Sheriff, I will make Charlottesville a better and safer place for all of its residents.
