The Alachua County Board of Commissioners voted 4-1 Tuesday to approve a $73.6-million-dollar budget for the county’s Sheriff’s Office for 2017, but the board raised concerns about Sheriff Sadie Darnell’s unapproved expenses.
The budget included $1.4 million for vehicle maintenance, and arguments over increases in maintenance funds have been ongoing since 2008, said ACSO Fleet Manager Steve King.
In 2014, Darnell requested $500,000 for this purpose and used it for deputy raises, the board alleged.
In that same year, commissioners said $1 million in unspent jail money was used in other areas, rather than going back to the board for the following fiscal year.
Once the money is transferred to her, Darnell argued, it’s hers to do with as she sees fit. She said her office spent $400,000 of the leftover jail money on debt for jail radios that year, and the rest went to vehicle maintenance.
“It’s my money at the point you give it to me,” she said. “It’s like giving a birthday gift, you can’t take it back.”
Where Darnell spent the money isn’t the issue, County Attorney Michele Lieberman said. The issue is whether Darnell has the authority to use funds for purposes not explicitly approved by the council.
Both parties agreed to further discuss the matter after the sheriff brings it up at a Florida Sheriff’s Association summit in September, but Darnell said the commissioners were overstepping their authority by nitpicking her spending habits.
“Don’t take this to circuit court,” Darnell said. “That’d be embarrassing for you.”
