The Sheriff has proposed a 3.99% budget increase for fiscal year 2016-2017. Earlier this year, Sheriff Al Nienhuis proposed using a percentage based budget structure which has not been approved.
Nienhuis identified the following needs, which the increase would support:
” An additional Major Case Detective to assist in monitoring sex offenders and predators and the investigation and arrest of violators;
” An additional K-9 Deputy to provide more shift and area coverage of this important tool that helps apprehend criminals and locate those in jeopardy;
“An additional Mental Health Worker for the jail to address the growing percentage of inmates with mental health issues, providing enhanced care and saving costs for external intervention;
“An additional Animal Enforcement Officer to assist with the growing number of animal-related complaints, improve response times for citizens, and allow deputies to focus on criminal activity; and,
“Six Public Service Technician positions. This will formalize the successful pilot program whereby lower-cost civilians provide quicker response times and relieve deputies from calls not requiring arrest authority. These positions will also provide a proven path for qualified individuals interested in pursuing a career as a deputy sheriff, further aiding staffing.”
Sheriff Nienhuis is also asking for the BOCC’s support in eliminating wage freezes in order to “hold on to our experienced and well trained employees.” Last year, retirement contribution rates were significantly increased.