After meeting with county commissioners Thursday, Sheriff Gus Dicesari says the county board is withholding necessary funds from the sheriff’s office and ultimately putting citizen lives in jeopardy.
The county commissioners are at odds over whether or not the sheriff’s office should receive additional funding. According to Sheriff Dicesari, the county is in need of five additional deputies and new cruisers. The current cruisers being used have over 150,000 miles and are costing more in repair than they are worth. This also causes shortages on the streets as the cruisers are in the shop. “This is the first time in my 27 years as sheriff that the county hasn’t allocated money to the sheriff’s department to buy equipment. My deputies can’t keep driving these old vehicles. Something bad is going to happen” said Sheriff Dicesari.
According to Commission President Anne Chenn, the county does not have sufficient funds to purchase new cruisers nor does it have funds to hire new deputies. Chenn, and four other commissioners, feel that the county would be better off supporting migrant worker programs. “Those people who come here to work are decent, hardworking people being employed at jobs the local residents don’t want to do. They add a great deal to the local economy, and they pay taxes” said Commissioner Chenn.
The county is facing budget shortages due to increased healthcare costs for employees. In addition, the county paid $30 million for a new prison due to overcrowding.
The Board of Commissioners voted 5-2 against Sheriff Dicesari’s request for additional funds.
