The reinstatement of funding that was expected to be cut from
the state budget will allow the sheriff’s office to rescind the
layoff of a lieutenant, a deputy sheriff and two correctional
officers.
The reinstatement of funding that was expected to be cut from the state budget will allow the sheriff’s office to rescind the layoff of a lieutenant, a deputy sheriff and two correctional officers.
After noting that the Board of Supervisors trimmed nearly $800,000 from the sheriff’s office budget and sent layoff notices to seven employees during budget hearings in July, County Administrative Officer Rich Inman said Tuesday that he endorsed Sheriff Darren Thompson’s request to rescind some of the layoffs.
“Fortunately, we were informed some revenue is forthcoming,” Inman told the board.
The loss of Citizens’ Option for Public Safety and Small and Rural Sheriffs funding were expected to be slashed from the state budget, so the county cut some positions to account for that.
“Fortunately,” Inman said in a report, “some of those funds have been reinstated in the state’s final budget.”
The more than $450,000 now available to the county will rescind four layoffs. A voluntary demotion of a lieutenant to a sergeant’s position will also allow for the lieutenant’s position to be eliminated. A demoted lieutenant will receive a buy-out of accrued vacation spread over the next two fiscal years.
Approximately $25,000 in funding will remain after the reinstated positions are funded. Inman suggested leaving that remainder in the county’s general fund, since that amount was not sufficient to support another full-time position.
Supervisor Jaime De La Cruz suggested that Inman talk with Thompson about other needs in the department to see if the money could be spent there.
The board unanimously approved the personnel changes.
