“The board voted today to fill that hole, so we don't lay off any Deputy Sheriffs,” said Fresno County Sheriff, Margaret Mims.
But there’s still a remaining $1.6 million deficit, because the county didn't get the concessions from bargaining units it counted on, some worry that could mean more early releases from the jail.
More sale tax revenue could solve the issue, but if not supervisors may have to step in again.
“I think everyone agrees that it would be too much to cut back any further,” said Mims.
And the problems don't end there, budget hearings began for next fiscal year, creating a heated debate
“It just doesn't make sense to me that we would like last year receive a budget that would include the layoff of a significant number of deputy sheriffs,” said Supervisor Henry Perea, during the meeting.
His comment was directed toward the County Administrative Officer, John Navarrette. According to Perea the board is against any cuts that would result in layoffs of public safety officers.
Navarrette says his job is to present a starting point and supervisors can adjust the plan. “Let me be clear, public safety will be the top priority and that has not changed,” he said.
Yet another hurdle, the state prison realignment program, “AB109 has been very problematic all counties because it shifted responsibilities from the state to the county without shifting the resources,” said