The county’s budget has been running in the black for several years now, thanks largely to the revamped mindset to use sound business practices when it comes to government financing.
But despite the prosperous times at the County Administration Center, there are some areas in the proposed $2.9 billion county budget that deserve scrutiny. Specifically, county officials plan to spend some $700 million on public safety , the Sheriff’s Department and the District Attorney’s Office. We believe public safety is paramount, but county officials can’t let spending get out of control.
That could become difficult this year, considering labor contracts are up for renegotiation. The county will face off with what is arguably the county’s most powerful labor group, the Deputy Sheriff’s Association, as well as the Deputy District Attorneys Association.
County Chief Administrative Officer Walt Ekard has cushioned this year’s budget with a 4 percent pay increase, but it’s still unclear what the labor groups will seek once they reach the bargaining table. Considering the county’s sound fiscal health, negotiations could get pricey.
Supervisors are in a dicey situation as well. It’s virtual political suicide for elected officials to question spending on public safety. Understandable, too, since the public mandate is to provide adequate law-enforcement protection.
The Sheriff’s Department will employ 3,900 deputies, managers and support staff next fiscal year. That will total $245 million for salaries and benefits, a $29 million increase over last year.
County officials no doubt recognize the department’s importance, as Ekard pointed out that “policemen are expensive, but it’s a necessary cost and the public tells us that’s what they want , more policing.”
Still, like any successful business, the county has a bottom line to maintain. The Sheriff’s Department is the county’s second-most expensive department at $330.7 million, behind Health and Human Services’ budget bite of $1.19 billion. For the fiscal 2000-01, the Sheriff’s Department is seeking $50 million more, mostly to integrate the Marshals Service into the department.
The District Attorney’s Office, which oversees such agencies as the Public Defender’s Office and the Probation Department, and enforces payment of child support, is seeking $7.4 million above its current budget of $122.8 million. Not surprisingly, the office plans to spend the bulk of its budget , $105 million , on wages and benefits.
In such prosperous times as we’re currently experiencing, it is easy to spend freely. The county in that regard is no different than any other business. Executives and managers should be rewarded with bonuses, and employees should get fair compensation when it’s time to renew their contracts.
It wasn’t that long ago the county labored under severe cost-cutting measures. Every year the budget was tapered in an effort to spend only what was imperative. Those days cannot be forgotten by county officials as they consider this year’s budget.
Recognizing those priorities will at least lighten the inevitable dark days that lie somewhere in the future. A little thrift now can go a long way.
