Sheriff says “real possibility” he will sue if more funds not granted
shirleyNANNEY
Editor
Members of the Carroll County Budget Committee reviewed budget requests for the 2023-2024 fiscal year budget on March 16 over a five hour period. County officials and department heads appeared before chairman Darrell Ridgely, Willie Huffman, Manuel Crossno, Jon Austin, and Lana Suite.
Among the budgets that were to be reviewed included: Trustee, Office on Aging, Register of Deeds, General Sessions/Carroll Academy/Juvenile Court, Circuit Court Clerk, County Clerk, Property Assessor, Election Commission, Library, Health Department, Solid Waste, Clerk & Master, Highway Department, Emergency Management/Rural Fire, Ag Extension, Sheriff’s Office, Jail, Sexual Offender’s Registry, and Drug Control.
The Highway Dept. and Carroll County Schools Transportation will have to return because they weren’t present and the Sheriff’s Department, which was reviewed but needed further review the committee thought. They will have to return on April 6 at 9 a.m.
Carroll County Sheriff Andy Dickson was questioned more than anyone else about his budget due to the $1,046,005 increase over last year. The 2022-2023 budget was $5,597,070 and the proposed budget for 2023-2024 is $6,643,075.
There are four categories of the sheriff’s budget that includes the Sheriff’s Department, Drug Fund, Sexual Offender’s Registration and Jail.
Dickson said he lost 17 employees last year due to higher salaries paid somewhere else.
“I am in dire straights in need of vehicles,” said Dickson.
He explained that since 2018 he has been begging the committee to get the department in line with other departments’ pay.
“If I ask for average pay our department will still be behind,” he said. “I’m asking for a three per cent raise over last year.”
The jail didn’t pass inspection this year due to overcrowding. The jail population reached 191 during Jan. and Feb. There are four inmates that require HIV medication that costs $13,182. If they are out of jail the state pays for it.
The state pays $41 a day to house state prisoners, but nothing for other prisoners. It roughly costs $17 a day to house a prisoner.
The sheriff said he shuddered to think what would have happened if he had not had experienced officers to send to Atwood recently when they had a man who barricaded himself inside a house.
“We have always prided ourselves in the longevity of officers,” said the sheriff.” I don’t want to start over.”
Austin ask the sheriff: “If you don’t get what you want, will you sue?”
“A very real possibility,” said Dickson who noted there have only been two cases on suits across the state that haven’t been in favor of the sheriff’s departments.”The winners are the attorneys.”
The sheriff was accompanied by Chief Deputy Joel Pate and Office Administrator Janice Moon.
At the conclusion of the interviews, the American Rescue Plan Act was discussed.
Following the budget reviews, It was pointed out by Austin there is a little over $2 million left in the fund.
He made a motion that $400,000 be donated to the Carroll County Inclusion Park Project in Huntingdon which Ridgely seconded and all members voting yes except Suite.
“It’s an investment of making lives better,” said County Mayor Joseph Butler.
This is a playground where children of all abilities can play side by side.
The budget and the funds for the Inclusion Park will have to be passed by the full 21 commission body before officially passing.
