Sarasota Sheriff's Office Won't Ask for More Money

[News Flash]

Sarasota Sheriff's Office Won't Ask for More Money

The budget includes the elimination of 57 positions

Sarasota County Sheriff Bill Balkwill isn't going to ask county commissioners for an increase in next years budget. The proposed number is the same as last year - $86.4 million, and the elimination of 57 jobs. The sheriff's official presentation to the county will happen later this month.

Source

Sheriff Bill Balkwill is proposing no increase in spending this year after years of steady growth.

It remains to be seen if the flat budget will be enough to placate the County Commission at a time when tax revenues are shrinking -- or if the sheriff and commissioners will engage in another budget standoff.

The County Commission must cut $40 million from its overall budget, which includes the sheriff and other constitutional officers, to address declining property tax collections. The county's tax base declined by $10 billion this year, or 17 percent.

Source

[quote=News Flash]Sarasota Sheriff's Office Won't Ask for More Money

The budget includes the elimination of 57 positions

Sarasota County Sheriff Bill Balkwill isn't going to ask county commissioners for an increase in next years budget. The proposed number is the same as last year - $86.4 million, and the elimination of 57 jobs. The sheriff's official presentation to the county will happen later this month.

Source

Sheriff Bill Balkwill is proposing no increase in spending this year after years of steady growth.

It remains to be seen if the flat budget will be enough to placate the County Commission at a time when tax revenues are shrinking -- or if the sheriff and commissioners will engage in another budget standoff.

The County Commission must cut $40 million from its overall budget, which includes the sheriff and other constitutional officers, to address declining property tax collections. The county's tax base declined by $10 billion this year, or 17 percent.

Source[/quote:2g12na53]

I know! Take the 30 grand the county is spending to see if the $70 million to spent on a new stadium would be better spent on public safety. It is incomprehensible that our county commission would even think of spending $70 million after the this whole tax debacle.

Maybe they are getting something in return?

I know! Take the 30 grand the county is spending to see if the $70 million to spent on a new stadium would be better spent on public safety. It is incomprehensible that our county commission would even think of spending $70 million after the this whole tax debacle.

I completely agree. The voters have spoken when the voters voted AGAINST the stadium, but the city and county commissioners keep trying to force that !@#$%^&* stadium down our throats. The commissioners are being paid-off somehow.

Remember we are only 16% of the county Budget as the surrounding counties are over 30% and we are cutting unreal. We should of told the commishioners to pack a lunch

Remember we are only 16% of the county Budget as the surrounding counties are over 30% and we are cutting unreal. We should of told the commishioners to pack a lunch

IMO this is between Mr. Balkwill and the commissioners. The commissioners are punishing Mr. Balkwill because they perceive that he's an idiot who stood up against them. During budget negotiations of the past, Mr. Balkwill was unable to counter the allegations from the commissioners, which made him look like a baboon in their eyes. Today, the county commissioners are driving home the point that they hate Mr. Balkwill, but Mr. Balkwill isn't suffering. Instead, it's the lower level employees at the Sarasota Sheriff's Office who will suffer when deeper budget cuts come.

We need:
1. patrol
2. investigations
3. traffic
4. narcotics

Everything else is a luxury:
1. chopper
2. marine unit
3. horse patrol
4. community policing (hard to believe we STILL have this)

We definately need to keep the part-time units:
1. scuba team
2. SWAT

Let's get rid of:
1. project manager
2. a captain at PSC (a lieutenant can do it)
3. some specalty sergeants (Harold)

Nuff said :shock:

Guest wrote: "Remember we are only 16% of the county Budget as the surrounding counties are over 30% and we are cutting unreal. We should of told the commishioners to pack a lunch."

The SSO budget is 16% of the total county budget. However, under the Sarasota County Charter Rule, the elected official's budgets can only be funded by ad valorem (property tax) revenue. So, the SSO budget is currently 33% of the ad valorem tax revenue received. The ad valorem taxes projected to be received will be $43,000,000 less than the current property tax revenue. So, the SSO budget - if it remains flat - will be funded, and staff can continue to drive the SUVs while other things like changing street light bulbs, fixing pot holes, having lifeguards at beaches, etc. will be cut or curtailed, because the $43,000,000 in cuts will have to be absorbed by all other areas of service provided by the County, including Fire.

Look at your property tax bill and you'll see that over half of every dollar goes to the School District. The remainder of each dollar is split between the cities of Sarasota, North Port, Venice, Longboat Key, and the unincorporated Sarasota County - all based upon population.

It's true that it's foolish to entertain spending money on building a new stadium for a team to use as their seasonal practice spot. The funding would be split between the City of Sarasota and County, and no doubt the County would finance their portion through bond sales. LouAnn Palmer told the Commission that Palm Beach has proof with their two spring training facilities that about $50 million a year might come in with revenue. Just look to the north and The Rays. The owners proposed putting up $170 million to build a new stadium (to be used in the entire season), and asked that St. Pete and Pinellas split the remainder of the costs. Over 68% of the voters have said that they would not approve.

We need: :twisted:
1. patrol
2. investigations
3. traffic
4. narcotics

Everything else is a luxury:
1. chopper
2. marine unit
3. horse patrol
4. community policing (hard to believe we STILL have this)

We definately need to keep the part-time units:
1. scuba team
2. SWAT

Let's get rid of:
1. project manager
2. a captain at PSC (a lieutenant can do it)
3. some specalty sergeants (Harold)

Nuff said :shock:

TD you are just angry that TE,TL,HS and RB are still in and you are out!

There is no need for any sworn member to be running the PSC.
A qualified civilian should be running the PSC. Civilian Directors run comm centers (bigger than ours, smaller than ours) all over the country. It's ridiculous to assign that as a sworn position... same as HR Director...should be a qualified civilian.

Put L.E. members where they belong....doing L.E. functions!!

Get into the 21st century, people!!!!!