2024-25 BUDGET DEVELOPMENT

I have been asked a couple times about cuts to the Sheriff's budget and want to take a minute to explain. The Executives budget shows an increase to the Sheriff's budget, including some new positions to support the work, investments in facilities, equipment and continuing our hiring bonuses. We continue to be underserved because we continue to have vacancies. The Council is committed to working to find other ways to support the work of our law enforcement officers, both on the streets of the county, investigating crimes and working in corrections. One of the areas that I hope to see further investment in, and will be working to find resources in is Remann Hall and our juvenile programs. If we can support youth that have made poor choices early in life, the outcome can be life altering, and hopefully keep the individuals out of the correction system in the future.

When asked about Human Services, and people thinking that we are spending tens of millions of local tax dollars on those experiencing homelessness; that simply isn't true. Our general fund is used to fund about 0.5% of the budget of our Human Services Department. Yet, there are hundreds of employees. This is because we have huge teams that do the work directly with seniors and those living with disabilities. The majority of the rest of the team is funded through state and federal programs that we over-see.

For those that continue to be frustrated with not seeing progress on those living on the streets, the visible homeless. Please remember that we help stabilize and find shelter for hundreds, but there are always hundreds more entering. This is the problem with not having enough affordable housing units. With housing costs rising due to increased profits desired at all levels, we simply cannot produce enough affordable housing. We finally have a funding source (Maureen Howard Affordable Housing Act) to build about 400 units a year, but we need thousands a year to catch up. Every unit will help and we are committed to this work.