San Benito County supervisors Tuesday delayed previously
approved cuts to the sheriff’s office because officials expect to
retain at least some of the jobs with state funding.
San Benito County supervisors Tuesday delayed previously approved cuts to the sheriff’s office because officials expect to retain at least some of the jobs with state funding.
In July, the board eliminated nearly $800,000 from the sheriff’s office budget and sent layoff notices to seven employees. This week, though, they agreed to put off the effective date for those layoffs from Aug. 15 to Sept. 13.
That was because officials have received information from the California State Association of Counties that there will be some state funding for the positions, though an unclear amount, County Administrative Officer Rich Inman told the board.
“There is money for some or all of these positions,” Inman said. “I’m simply looking for time to prepare a prudent recommendation.”
The board previously agreed to eliminate the operations lieutenant position, three deputies and two jail correctional officers. It is the second time this year the board eliminated positions from the jail. In March, the board eliminated two correctional officers and a program manager.
The changes also include the transfer of a jail maintenance worker and the layoff of an office secretary. In total, the cuts will save the county $238,000 at the jail and $552,000 within the sheriff’s office. The board chose from three cost-savings options that included laying off more deputies and part-time positions.
Even with the likely state dollars, Supervisor Jaime De La Cruz didn’t appear fully satisfied with the prospect of a delay.
Initially, he said the board had not “learned from last year’s budget problems” when similar cuts were delayed. After Inman explained the holdup, De La Cruz still seemed peeved.
“I’ll try to be cool, Madam chair,” De La Cruz said, chuckling. “I totally support the sheriff’s department. I totally support public safety.”
He went on, speaking to Inman, “Do you want to put your job on the line for this?”
Inman replied, “I think I put my job on the line every Tuesday.”
Supervisor Margie Barrios noted that the staff report excluded a potential cost, if the state doesn’t come through with the funding.
“I know there has to be a cost, if we do not get the funding,” she said. “I would like to see a cost.”
Inman explained later that the delay would cost a month in salaries for those jobs. He said he might not end up recommending reinstatement of all the positions.
Supervisor Anthony Botelho pointed out that in 2010, the CAO had urged the board against making the cuts – while this year Inman recommended them.
De La Cruz said he wants to prevent the “same fiasco” as a year ago.
“If you put your job on the line, I’ll support it,” De La Cruz told Inman.
Added Barrios, “It sounds like our CAO has done just that.”
