Sheriff Asks For $750K For Staff Raises
Alternative content
Sheriff Asks For Raises
Delaware County officials are trying to figure out how to deal with a major budget shortfall.DELAWARE, Ohio—Delaware County officials are trying to figure out how to deal with a major budget shortfall.
Sheriff Walter Davis is asking for $750,000 from the commissioners to pay for raises for his staff, NBC 4‘s Lauren Diedrich reported.
For years, union members of the sheriff’s office have been allotted several types of increases in varying amounts, depending on the year, and they are still contractually obligated to receive those raises.
In December, the sheriff’s office was given a budget that did not include money for those raises. Davis said he knew in December that a nearly $3 million decrease in his budget would cause a problem. After months of trying to adjust, he said, the problem is becoming more obvious.
Davis said he would try to reallocate money in his department. But now, months later, he said there is no more money to move around and still pay the bills.
The commissioners said they’re trying to find money in the budget to clear up the issue.
“We will address this. We will have to work through the problem,“ said Delaware County Commissioner Todd Hanks.
“Why is this bring discussed several months later?“ Diedrich asked.
“Well, I think it’s because the budget has become such a shortfall issue,“ Hanks said.
Hanks said even as the former county auditor, no one saw how tough times would get.
Davis said he is looking for ways to fill the budget hole, by cutting training, fuel usage and looking for grants.
He said that at this time, there are no plans for layoffs.
For additional information, stay with nbc4i.com and NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com—Where Accuracy Matters.
To submit a story idea or news tip, e-mail us at
.
NBC 4 POLITICS: Headlines, Interactives & Video
MORE: NBC 4 Local News | Local Crime News
NBC 4 SPORTS: Sports News, Video
Advertisement
Reader Reactions
mnypnny281, you are so right. Corruption in the Delware County Sheriff’s Department is nothing new, and didn’t start with this Sheriff, but it hasn’t stopped with him either. From reading the crime reports in the local paper, it doesn’t look like there’s much here that couldn’t be handled by Sheriff Taylor and Barney Fife, and I have a hard time understanding what we’re getting for our money, or where the millions are actually spent. I say if you want more money, then open up the books and let us all take a good hard look. I bet we could find ways to cut the budget without really trying!
if they don’t have the money, do just like everyone else is, close the doors.
1st to reply to the above comments, unions protect those,in public service in offering civil protection from law suits, disciplinary actions, protection of benefits and in these tough economic times guarantees wages.
These contracts are reviewed and agreed to by the Sheriff as well as the commissioners. Third party fact finders are used to validate these contracts by revealing requests by the unions and Sheriff as well. The Sheriff will have you believe his short-fall is due to the Union employees solely. However, if public records were pulled from his office, salaries would show he has given raises to administration staff whose rank has changed but responsibilities have not, creating multiple positions that were never there before. Sheriff Davis has also taken to buying equipment within his office that seems to be completey unnecessary: 3 motorcycles plus equipment that has yet to be used in a law enforcement capacity at this point, probably won’t be used the same way Columbus Police uses theirs rain or snow. I could go on and on. My understanding is there was also completely new furniture bought when he took office, remodeling of the offices, video-conferencing system…the list could go on but I think you get the point! I would encourage NBC4 to pull records and look further into what has been spent in the short time Sheriff Davis has been in office. That might add up to the $750K shortfall he is claiming. I do know he has taken at least 2 soon to be 3 dispatchers out of dispatch and placed them in different higher paying positions but now he complains of staffing issues as well. Just some things to think about before saying it’s all the union or union members fault.
Our Sheriff and his staff in Delaware County do a job. But Delaware County has also been hit by the economic situation. Many did not get raises, many have lost jobs and face loosing their homes. So why isn’t the option of not giving raises on the table? Oh, yeah it’s a contract most likely with a union. Unions had a place as our country grew, but Unions still behave as its 1920. Unions can play a part in the future of this country, but they need to change. Our local governments and business need to change too. Just because you’ve been a union shop, doesn’t mean you have to stay a union shop.
pretty obvious why they dont have enough money….the weather has sucked. its not like those cops are going to get out and write tickets in the rain!! good heavens, their hair would get messed up.
Advertisement