Elected officials are considering adding as many as eight new sheriff’s deputies, a sheriff’s spokesman and upgrading police wireless computers as part of the Snohomish County’s proposed 2006 budget.
Finding a way to pay for the additions will be debated at a Snohomish County Council meeting today, a last-minute effort before budget voting begins on Monday.
The council is considering $589.5 million in spending proposals in County Executive Aaron Reardon’s 2006 budget.
Reardon’s budget focuses about 71 percent of the county’s general fund – property and sales taxes – on criminal justice.
The County Council appears to want even more. County Councilman Jeff Sax is leading the charge for more deputies.
The additional deputies and computer upgrades emerged as a council priority during three days of budget retreats this week. The additions will cost an estimated $1 million. The council and its staff are scrubbing the budget for potential cuts or creative financing for the proposed additions.
Reardon’s budget would hire four new deputies in 2006 using county taxes. Six other new deputies would be funded by state money or contracts with local cities.
Three of the deputies would focus on methamphetamine.
To temper the costs, Sax and other council members have proposed hiring five of the deputies in the middle of 2006 rather than in January.
Officials are also considering spending $84,000 for two dozen electronic ticketing devices for sheriff’s deputies working on traffic patrols.
The County Council budget debate is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on the eighth floor of the East Administration Building, 3000 Rockefeller Ave., Everett.
Reporter Jeff Switzer: 425-339-3452 or jswitzer@ heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
