Pubdate: Tue, 08 Jul 2003 Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL) Copyright: 2003 Sarasota Herald-Tribune Contact: http://www.newscoast.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/398 Author: Lloyd Dunlelberger, Capital Bureau PANEL BACKS SHERIFF'S REQUEST The Recommendation of a $950,000 Budget Hike Now Goes To The Governor and The Cabinet. TALLAHASSEE -- Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Clement is entitled to a $950,000 budget increase, a state panel unanimously recommended Monday. Trying to settle a budget dispute between the sheriff and the Charlotte County Commission, aides to Gov. Jeb Bush, Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher, and Attorney General Charlie Crist settled on the recommendation, which represents more than a third of the $2.3 million increase Clement sought in his appeal to the state. The county had approved a $31.9 million budget for the sheriff's 2002- 03 fiscal year, which runs through September. The panel recommended that the sheriff receive an additional $700,000 to hire 21 more personnel, including eight patrol deputies, two narcotics detectives, and six communications workers. The group also backed a $250,000 increase to buy cars for the new patrol officers and other personnel. Clement had originally asked for a $500,000 increase for vehicles and equipment. Monday's decision represents another stage in the sheriff's budget appeal, with the recommendation now heading to the governor and the Cabinet. The Cabinet could act on the proposal as early as its Aug. 12 meeting, although the agenda has not been set. Clement, who attended the panel's discussion, said he was pleased by the recommendation. "We always wanted to work with the county and come to some kind of reasonable resolution," Clement said. "This figure is roughly halfway, and I really think it's fair to all. "I think it will be a positive thing for the people that we are going to put these officers out on the street and in communications, where they need to be." The Charlotte commissioners may discuss their next move in the budget appeal process at their meeting today. "I don't think we're going to accept this," said Charlotte Commissioner Matt DeBoer. DeBoer said he expects the county will take its case before the governor and the Cabinet next month. The county can do a better job of explaining its position and its budget process, he said. Charlotte County Budget Officer Ann Navan said that if the aides' recommendation is upheld, the county would have to somehow come up with the extra money. Losing the budget battle with the sheriff would also affect how the county approaches the sheriff's budget request for the 2003-04 fiscal year, she said. Clement has asked for an increase of 21 percent, or $6.7 million. State officials said they were sympathetic to the sheriff's request for more personnel, particularly in a high-growth county that has experienced an escalating crime rate. "It's this gentleman's constitutional duty to tell us how many people it takes to do the job," said Paul Mitchell, chief of staff for Gallagher. "I would defer to the sheriff." Mitchell said he was more skeptical of the sheriff's other financial requests, but said it made no sense to approve more personnel without providing some funding for cars and equipment. He said cutting the sheriff's vehicle request in half was "a fair and reasonable" compromise. After the meeting, Clement said the $250,000 vehicle spending increase was a prudent move. "We can't put them out there on unicycles," he said. Brad Thomas, the public safety coordinator for Bush's budget office, said he was swayed by the sheriff's argument that, compared with other, similar-sized counties, Charlotte's law enforcement needs were underfunded. "They're not funded as high, in my view, as those other counties," Thomas said. Charlotte officials, though, maintain that the county has provided adequate funding. "If you cook the numbers enough, which the Sheriff's Office is good at, you can confuse anybody into believing that we've underfunded the Sheriff's Office," DeBoer said. Clement said that if the governor and the Cabinet endorse the recommendation, he is ready to hire the new employees, including the eight patrol deputies, "as soon as possible." In addition to the new patrol officers, the panel backed the sheriff's request for four dispatchers, two call takers, one deputy for the traffic unit, two narcotics detectives, and four community service aides. Thomas, though, noted Monday's recommendation does not settle the budget dispute. "It's a difficult process and it's not over," he told the sheriff. Clement said he is ready to defend the recommendation as it moves to the governor and the Cabinet, which could accept, reject or amend the proposal. "I'm sure all sides will be trying to lobby their point," Clement said. "But I think the panel here has made the correct, prudent, intelligent decision." Herald-Tribune staff writer Jamie Manfuso contributed to this report. - --- MAP posted-by: SHeath(DPFFlorida)