Layoffs

Has anyone heard if the budget's been passed or not? Have the CC's agreed to let the Sheriff save the day for another year? What is going to happen next year when he has to cut even deeper? Is he just putting off the layoffs until next time? Has he let he people who are on the chopping block know who they are?

The budget meeting is tomorrow. Hopefully we will have our answer then.

The CC's passed the budget but no word about the SO getting their saved money back. The lack of information from the front office is deafening.

BOCC will address the money in question at the Sept 24 regular board meeting.

The CC's passed the budget but no word about the SO getting their saved money back. The lack of information from the front office is deafening.
If you think the "front office" cares, get your head out from under that rock. They already have their big retirement checks in hand, why would they care to let you know if you still have a job next fiscal year.

What can he tell you? The 29 officers know who they are and they like everyone else has to wait until sept. 24th. It ain't right and it doesn't make them feel any better about what's going on but what's the front office going to say? All he can say is "I have to wait until the 24th." How's that going to make anybody feel better? You lashing out isn't helping anyone! And the 29 deputies, even if they survive this year, may very well get it next year. The writing is on the wall in SRC. Start making plans to go elsewhere if you're on the bottom of the heap. But for those who aren't how about offering them your sympathy and help and support!

Do the layoffs start with the contract employees? I seems that the ones who have their retirement intact and are on contract should be let got first, I would think their salaries could fund a few positions.

It is pretty sorry for the admin not to insist, demand, man up, to the CC's to get a answer, will they return the sheriff's money or not. To let the entire SO hang is not only unprofessional but childish. The sworn understand the CC's don't have their back and the Sheriff and his admin sure as hell don't have their backs. I know, we'll blame the CC's, then lay off 33 sworn, to hell with their families, hopes, dreams, we tried, they just didn't tell me when I asked. It's SR county, we aren't expected to act like professional's, didn't you know. Give me a break, sure Sheriff your confident you will save the 33 jobs, but, yea but, nothing is in writing or concrete. Thanks for nothing.

Thank you Lt. Watson for addressing the issue of future budget cuts in the county. We can only hope someone will follow your lead. Great job!

The Sheriff has saved the our jobs for this year, but what happens after that? It looks like the budget is going to decrease again. Does that mean 33 Deputies and then more? I hope we can all find jobs between now and then. I've already been looking and there is nothing in the area. :(

Lt. Watson did a great job last night calling the commissions out. Although I could tell he was being reserved....but he still made his point. However, i do think this is a one year notice to most newer guys to start looking for new jobs. this 'band-aid" on the budget is only delaying the what is comming.

I just have one question....what ARE our FOP reps doing? As a member I havnt been informed of anything in the past 6 months. In fact the FOP board in our district office hasnt been updated in awhile.......who's in charge of that?

F.O.P. zzzz zzzz zzzz

When is everyone going to realize that the Sheriff and the FOP have no interest in your well-being and job security. the FOP is a joke. The sheriff is the joker. Take care of your own affairs and do what you need to do, thats what is coming.

You are a bunch of morons. The tax payers of this backward county are in charge of the SO's destiny. If you count the people on patrol right now then subtract 33, 55 deputies on the road? That is close, then the sheriff can go to the CC's and the people and say, oh well, you have what you asked for. No more funeral escort's, no SRO's, no more reckless driver calls, no more 71's "my car got egged", no more animal complaints, no district offices, then the county will wake up. Come to the office and we might take a report, over the phone complaints, with no political will for tax increases this will happen. If you think the FOP can do anything I have a bridge going over the bay to sell you, cheap.

The sheriff didn't go for the jugular this time because he was working the deal for the excess money. I believe he will now take off the gloves and go after the CC's to get them off their collective tails and find alternate avenue's to support his agency. He said he wasn't going to run again so what has he got to lose? The entire system is tilted toward the school system, 107 million dollar budget sounds good until you realize that the school system gets 56 % of it right off the top. We are hoping the Sheriff and the admin do their magic, even if it has to be through ch 3 and the PNJ.

The C.C. had no problem increasing the bed-tax (1cent) in an attempt to attract Southwest Airlines to our area.
We are so lucky they care about us. Ya right!

You are a bunch of morons. The tax payers of this backward county are in charge of the SO's destiny. If you count the people on patrol right now then subtract 33, 55 deputies on the road? That is close, then the sheriff can go to the CC's and the people and say, oh well, you have what you asked for. No more funeral escort's, no SRO's, no more reckless driver calls, no more 71's "my car got egged", no more animal complaints, no district offices, then the county will wake up. Come to the office and we might take a report, over the phone complaints, with no political will for tax increases this will happen. If you think the FOP can do anything I have a bridge going over the bay to sell you, cheap.

The sheriff didn't go for the jugular this time because he was working the deal for the excess money. I believe he will now take off the gloves and go after the CC's to get them off their collective tails and find alternate avenue's to support his agency. He said he wasn't going to run again so what has he got to lose? The entire system is tilted toward the school system, 107 million dollar budget sounds good until you realize that the school system gets 56 % of it right off the top. We are hoping the Sheriff and the admin do their magic, even if it has to be through ch 3 and the PNJ.

What magic has the Sheriff and admin ever done? Lie to their people, thats about it--a shell game. If Hall says he will not run again, that means he will run again. When has he ever told his people the truth? Hell, when does he ever talk to his people? Time to do less with less.

I dont think anyone has the right to blame anyone else until the entire county balls up and demands to see where all our money is going and why is it that the CC's keep getting pay raises when deputies are being cut and the CC's only do a part time job. The CC's need to account for the money and all the citizens of the county need to approve where its going.

I dont think anyone has the right to blame anyone else until the entire county balls up and demands to see where all our money is going and why is it that the CC's keep getting pay raises when deputies are being cut and the CC's only do a part time job. The CC's need to account for the money and all the citizens of the county need to approve where its going.

CC's salaries are determined by the State, not the County. Sorry, but that's one issue that won't change locally.

Why does it seem Santa Rosa County is bearing the brunt of this so-called economic downturn? One doesn't see the surrounding counties from Escambia to Walton, threatening to lay off officers. These "investigative" reporters should do an analysis of this area so the public would know what's broken.

The reason is Santa Rosa has way to many Deputys they need to cut that number in about half. Starting at the top of the rank since they are the crooks, right along with the detectives. There favorite thing to do is frame people for stuff they haven't even done. It wont be long and Santa Rosa will fall apart like Okaloosa with the corruption. Dont get me wrong there are some deputies that remember what there job is to protect and serve. But the majority are punks that got picked on in school and turned to a badge to try and seek revenge. where all they do is harrass and abuse their
imaginary power of the badge.

We'll it looks like someone has had a run in with the Sheriff's office. Was it you,or a family member, that was arrested? Do us all a favor and return to the round padded room. It is much safer in there. If you are going to slander the Sheriff's office, give some examples to support your rant. I will be the first to admit that the S.O. has it's short falls. Name one agency that doesn't. If you can, I will call you a liar to your face and direct you back to your round room. So either back up what you are saying or STFU. Thanks for the laugh. Now I'm off to plant evidence and violate peoples rights. Oh crap I didn't mean to type that. Hope no one reads that last line.

Yea, if the original poster got his way the crime rate would skyrocket. The only beneficiary's would be the thugs that populate not only Santa Rosa County but the our neighboring counties too. If this is "the" spot to commit crimes they will come.