10-06-2007, 07:32 PM
The first of the management team is gone. Will anyone miss him?
From: Dennis Williams
Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2007 7:06 AM
To: EM-ALL USERS
Subject: Budget reduction--abolished position
My purpose in writing is two-fold
1. I want to put to rest the "rumor mill' regarding my position.
The budget reductions for the Sheriff's Office thus far were finalized on September 25th during the final BOCC concerning TRIM and proposed budgets for FY 07-08. As most of you might recall, we were compelled to reduce our overall budget request for the Sheriff's Office by several million dollars. Notwithstanding the fact that the Circuit Court in Leon County overturned the proposed constitutional amendment for tax reduction , the Court upheld the budget reductions forced on the Counties regarding the October 1 rollback of ad valorem. That said, the only way the Sheriff's Office could achieve the budget cuts would be through personnel reductions or hiring freezes or a combination of both. The Sheriff's Office had already reduced capital and other operating expenses where those expenses could have been cut. A hiring freeze has been implemented except for job critical positions. My position was a contract position and is one of the positions that could be eliminated. The decision was not one that was made lightly and not as result of any 'arguments or discord' as some have suggested. The decision was a tough one and a business decision. When a leader is faced with a choice between a 'manager and a ground troop' a good leader chooses the 'ground troop.' I consider Sheriff McNesby to be a good leader, a good Sheriff and a good friend. But I serve as a contract member of the management team. I have served my entire career as an 'at will' employee. The risk of losing my position is a risk I accepted when I agreed to come to Escambia Sheriff's Office. Contrary to another rumor, I am not going to Iraq or any other overseas position. I do not currently have plans for another position elsewhere. Unfortunately, I am only in my second year of DROP and therefore cannot work for another State or County agency that is a participant in the Florida Retirement System, unless I agree to forfeit accumulated DROP money and found another agency that would agree to make back payments to the FRS covering the time I was in DROP. Since the budget cuts are affecting all other agencies throughout the State just as we are, that option really is not an option.
2. A few comments about my tenure in the Sheriff's Office.
The Sheriff and I discussed my coming to work here shortly after his first election in December of 2000. Although I had served as Chief Deputy in another Sheriff's Office, I was very interested in a new challenge and agreed to come here to run the jail and serve as part of his management team. That decision proved to be one of the best of my career. I was then and remain now impressed with the level of professionalism and dedication of the men and women who work throughout the Sheriff's Office. As I had the most contact with the members in Detention, I became particularly impressed with those personnel. The Sheriff allowed me wide latitude in the operation of the jail and the men and women of Detention were always 'equal to the task' of accepting the challenges I presented to them. They always exhibited a 'can do' attitude and never let me down in the performance of their duties. I have worked the streets and worked in the jails. Both areas are unique and demanding places to work. One is not better than the other, just different. On the street a deputy has the opportunity to do good, protect the public and receive recognition along with criticism for the job they do. In the jail, a deputy is always subject to criticism, work only with the accused and the good they do is rarely reported on in the media. But both members, with the support of their civilian counterparts, make a Sheriff's Office what it is. I believe the men and women of our Sheriff's Office make it one of the best in the State. It has been my privilege to work here. I wish each of the very best God has for your lives and I pray for the safety of you and your families in all that you do. Thank you for always making me feel welcome among you.
Dennis M. Williams, Director
Escambia Sheriff's Office
From: Dennis Williams
Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2007 7:06 AM
To: EM-ALL USERS
Subject: Budget reduction--abolished position
My purpose in writing is two-fold
1. I want to put to rest the "rumor mill' regarding my position.
The budget reductions for the Sheriff's Office thus far were finalized on September 25th during the final BOCC concerning TRIM and proposed budgets for FY 07-08. As most of you might recall, we were compelled to reduce our overall budget request for the Sheriff's Office by several million dollars. Notwithstanding the fact that the Circuit Court in Leon County overturned the proposed constitutional amendment for tax reduction , the Court upheld the budget reductions forced on the Counties regarding the October 1 rollback of ad valorem. That said, the only way the Sheriff's Office could achieve the budget cuts would be through personnel reductions or hiring freezes or a combination of both. The Sheriff's Office had already reduced capital and other operating expenses where those expenses could have been cut. A hiring freeze has been implemented except for job critical positions. My position was a contract position and is one of the positions that could be eliminated. The decision was not one that was made lightly and not as result of any 'arguments or discord' as some have suggested. The decision was a tough one and a business decision. When a leader is faced with a choice between a 'manager and a ground troop' a good leader chooses the 'ground troop.' I consider Sheriff McNesby to be a good leader, a good Sheriff and a good friend. But I serve as a contract member of the management team. I have served my entire career as an 'at will' employee. The risk of losing my position is a risk I accepted when I agreed to come to Escambia Sheriff's Office. Contrary to another rumor, I am not going to Iraq or any other overseas position. I do not currently have plans for another position elsewhere. Unfortunately, I am only in my second year of DROP and therefore cannot work for another State or County agency that is a participant in the Florida Retirement System, unless I agree to forfeit accumulated DROP money and found another agency that would agree to make back payments to the FRS covering the time I was in DROP. Since the budget cuts are affecting all other agencies throughout the State just as we are, that option really is not an option.
2. A few comments about my tenure in the Sheriff's Office.
The Sheriff and I discussed my coming to work here shortly after his first election in December of 2000. Although I had served as Chief Deputy in another Sheriff's Office, I was very interested in a new challenge and agreed to come here to run the jail and serve as part of his management team. That decision proved to be one of the best of my career. I was then and remain now impressed with the level of professionalism and dedication of the men and women who work throughout the Sheriff's Office. As I had the most contact with the members in Detention, I became particularly impressed with those personnel. The Sheriff allowed me wide latitude in the operation of the jail and the men and women of Detention were always 'equal to the task' of accepting the challenges I presented to them. They always exhibited a 'can do' attitude and never let me down in the performance of their duties. I have worked the streets and worked in the jails. Both areas are unique and demanding places to work. One is not better than the other, just different. On the street a deputy has the opportunity to do good, protect the public and receive recognition along with criticism for the job they do. In the jail, a deputy is always subject to criticism, work only with the accused and the good they do is rarely reported on in the media. But both members, with the support of their civilian counterparts, make a Sheriff's Office what it is. I believe the men and women of our Sheriff's Office make it one of the best in the State. It has been my privilege to work here. I wish each of the very best God has for your lives and I pray for the safety of you and your families in all that you do. Thank you for always making me feel welcome among you.
Dennis M. Williams, Director
Escambia Sheriff's Office