Patrol deputy cuts seen in budgeting
From our weekly issue dated April 23, 2008
Sheriff Gil Gilbertson is among Josephine County public safety officials and others who will make fund presentations to the county Budget Committee Wednesday, April 23 from 4 to 6 p.m.
Facing a budget that lacks $12 million from previous income, the number of sheriff’s office patrol deputies could be reduced to 14 from the current 22; and the jail officers staff could be cut to 28 from the current 41.
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Those proposed reductions were included in a presentation to the committee on Thursday, April 17 in Grants Pass. Rosemary Padgett, the county’s CFO, advised that:
“Josephine County is at a turning point in its history” because it is attempting to deal with an anticipated loss of $12 million in federal funding. A substantial portion of the annual timber compensation has been used for sheriff’s patrols, juvenile justice operations, and the district attorney’s office.
Although the county received its federal allocation for the current 2007-08 fiscal year, approximately half was used for this year. The other half or so was placed in a reserve fund for the 2008-09 fiscal year that will begin on July 1.
The reserve fund contains some $9 million. Anticipations are that it too will be expended, meaning that the 2009-10 fiscal year budget will contain even more drastic reductions. Said Padgett:
“Without a sustainable funding source for public safety and the criminal justice system, the county will be greatly impacted. It is in the best interest of Josephine County that we work together to find a long-term, sustainable way to fund essential government services.”
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The proposed budget reflects a 20 percent cut from current public safety funding. However, the number of county employees otherwise is predicted at 384, a drop of 16 workers.
Besides the sheriff, presentations are to be made the 23rd by D.A. Stephen Campbell, Janine Wilson of Juvenile Justice, Abe Huntley of Adult Corrections, and Rob Brandes and Rich Halliday of public works.
The Budget Committee also will meet Tuesday, April 29 from 4 to 6 p.m., and Thursday, May 1 if necessary. The budget can be viewed at co.josephine.or.us under “budget information.”
