Long story short: The Sheriff’s Office needs a lot of money, and the Alachua County Commission doesn’t have a lot of money to give.
But they’re working it out.
Sheriff Sadie Darnell made her budget presentation Tuesday to the Commission. She told them what her department is federally required to do, what programs are essential to the well-being of the county and where the Commission can save some money.
One of the programs that will require funding is the Department of Children and Families’ requirement that an officer accompany every private investigator when it visits children.
It’s a requirement, but the state doesn’t provide any money to fulfill the requirement. Hurrah for unfunded mandates?
“I’m sure DCF will give you some money for this,” said Chair Lee Pinkoson.
Everyone laughed.
“About as likely as Pastor Jones,” Darnell said, referring to the cost that the County had to pay in overtime during the Koran burning incident last September.
Also, the sheriff brought up the issue of the budget appeal she’s filed against the County, which will take the two entities to court in Tallahassee at some point.
She asked for $409,193 in compensation for the amount that was cut from the law enforcement budget in the last budget year.
“Still asking for it,” she said, “cause I still need it.”
