Through a combination of cooperation, sacrifice and luck, Allen County Council members and Sheriff Ken Fries met halfway to set a sheriff’s department budget that provides for its most important needs without tapping into county rainy day funds. But the issues surrounding the sheriff’s budget won’t go away, and county officials need to address them long before next year’s budget is considered.
Credit Fries for finding ways to meet the council halfway. The council had asked Fries to cut his request by $1.6 million, and Fries cut about $800,000. He agreed to drop his request for $400,000 to buy new squad cars, plus cut officers’ clothing allowance in half and end the tuition reimbursement fund for officers, among other cutbacks.
After learning the county is on course to receive $1 million more than previously expected in income tax revenue, the council agreed to send $800,000 to the sheriff’s department.
The agreement means the county will continue to pay for the medical costs of jail inmates with pre-existing conditions, heading off a possible court battle. But this unfunded legislative mandate is a burden to other counties as well, and county officials should push legislators to seek a statewide solution. Considering there are differing opinions on exactly what the law requires the county to pay, county officials should ask an area legislator to seek an attorney general’s opinion on the requirements. The opinion is nonbinding but could offer direction.
Council members also should re-examine the county’s priorities. Surely running the jail and patrolling the county should be among the county’s top responsibilities.
The issue of paying inmate health costs will not go away, and county officials need to examine alternatives and seek help and guidance from the state.
