Hollister
– San Benito County Sheriff Curtis Hill is projecting budget
savings of more than $800,000 this year and is hoping the Board of
Supervisors take that into consideration when he asks for an
additional $1.8 million next year.
Hollister – San Benito County Sheriff Curtis Hill is projecting budget savings of more than $800,000 this year and is hoping the Board of Supervisors take that into consideration when he asks for an additional $1.8 million next year.
The board, which is facing a $6.5 million deficit, is hoping to maintain county departments at last year’s funding levels. However, several supervisors said Hill’s budget savings could score him extra points when it comes to allocating county funds next month – though they admit there is little room for bigger budgets next year.
Hill credits the savings to sound financial planning, a team approach and cutting down on overtime hours. Saving upward of $800,000 on a $7.9 million, roughly 10 percent of the total operating budget, was no easy task, Hill said.
“You think in terms of team,” he said. “We’ve rejected that old public service philosophy of spending every penny we get. The ‘use it or lose it’ philosophy is a thing of the past.”
Last year, Hill saved the county about $300,000, which supervisors let him roll-over to hire additional staff. Hill hopes that will happen again.
Hill said his department is in good financial shape, but he is hoping the board will consider giving him an additional $1.8 million next year to hire two new deputies, two new corrections officers and a jail program manager. He said the department needs about $9.7 million next year.
“We haven’t reduced our services. Our arrest numbers are up and we’ve been able to do it with a savings for the taxpayers,” Hill said. “Now I’m looking to increase the level of service this department offers. This job gets bigger and bigger all the time.”
In 2005, Sheriff deputies made 662 arrests compared to 535 in 2004, according to department statistics.
Although he’s aware of law enforcement needs, Supervisor Anthony Botelho said the county’s financial situation was dire.
“I don’t think there is any chance of anyone getting more money this year,” he said. “It’s going to be very challenging to keep things operating at the status quo.”
Botelho said Hill’s budget savings would make a big difference in terms of the county’s general fund.
“He’s a great manager,” he said. “We’ll still have to prioritize our funding decisions, but that gives him extra points.”
Hill said the additional funding and personnel is vital to the Sheriff’s department. One of the new positions he wants to fill is jail program manager that would be charged with administering jail mental health and substance abuse programs. Hill is also hoping to hire another school resource officer to oversee truancy programs and step up the department’s crime prevention efforts. However, Hill said he would be ever mindful of the county’s budget woes.
“This is what I need,” he said. “But I’m not expecting to get it all.”
Supervisor Reb Monaco said the fact that Hill managed to save money was “commendable,” but said he could not comment on budget requests before getting input from county officials.
Brett Rowland covers public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or
br******@fr***********.com
.
