On Tuesday Chattooga County Commissioner Jason Winters sent a letter, reviewed by the county attorney, to Sheriff John Everett outlining his plans for providing funding for the Chattooga County Sheriff's department through the end of the year. AM 1180 obtained a copy of the letter sent to the sheriff:
September 17, 2012
John Everett, Sheriff
35 West Washington Street
Summerville, GA 30747
Sheriff Everett :
As I have discussed with you recently, I am concerned with the projected amount that your office is expected to be over budget for 2012. Over the last several months I have addressed the need for all of our county offices and departments to remain within budget for 2012. Over the last several weeks I have encouraged you to look at how to maintain your operations within the budget for 2012 and have encouraged you to make cuts within your departments to make sure that you are within budget for 2012. Other county departments have submitted plans to correct issues within their budgets and I have asked for the same from you. I regret that your position has been to maintain your current staffing levels and to not look at operational cuts.
Over the last three years I have worked with you to make sure that the needs of the Sheriff’s Department have been met. In years past we have been able to adjust funds and to help cover the overruns that your department has experienced. As I stressed earlier, this budget year was going to be extremely difficult and savings would be expected. The county cannot supply additional funds for cost overruns for 2012.
In order to avoid placing the County in any further financial constraint, I am respectfully requesting your cooperation and assistance in curtailing costs in the operation of your office for the remainder of your term. For the year 2012, I budgeted $ 2,873,212.00 to your office which is divided as follows :
Sheriff Department $1,450,000.00
Jail Operations $1,215,000.00
Drug Task Force $ 92,000.00
School Resource Officer $ 81,212.00
Jail Improvement $ 35,000.00.
As of this letter, you have spent the following amounts in each department :
Sheriff Department $1,193,792.94
Jail Operations $ 966,147.55
Drug Task Force $ 85,872.02
School Resource Office $ 62,181.97
Jail Improvement $ 25,608.07.
These expenditures result in approximately $530,217.49 for you to operate the departments within your office for the remainder of the year. This amount does not allow for the current level of staffing. I acknowledge your responsibility in providing needed services to our citizens and I intend to continue to provide you with funds I feel are adequate for you to meet your obligations.
I am hereby providing notice as of September 18, 2012 that I am establishing funds available for your budget for the remainder of the year as follows :
September $ 66,277.19
October $ 154,646.76
November $ 154,646.76
December $ 154,646.76.
As the elected department head of your office, it is incumbent upon you to determine what cuts, reductions and savings must be made in order for you to meet these budgetary amounts. Due to the current condition of the 2012 County operating budget, I will no longer be able to pay for any expenses of your department, including payroll, that exceed the limits set forth monthly herein.
Furthermore I would strongly urge you to examine the costs associated with housing inmates outside of Chattooga County respective to current jail staffing levels, to write over any funds that your department or departments may be holding that could help to offset these budgetary limits and to limit any repairs that need to be conducted within the jail facility.
Sincerely,
Jason Winters
Sole Commissioner
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