Q: Can you give some insight into your recent budget presentation to the Board of County Commissioners for the next fiscal year?
A: As background, before the budget process started, my entire command staff met with the county commissioners one-by-one because our relationship with them is so important. We went over my three budget priorities, which are increasing compensation and benefits for our employees so that we can recruit and retain top talent; maximizing technology to decrease crime in St. Johns County; and after we’ve assessed the entire county, add additional personnel. Then I proposed my budget of nearly $103 million, which represents an $8.8 million increase over last year. None of the increase is for capital improvements.
Q: Can you describe what items are included in the increase?
A: Nearly all is going towards increasing the base pay for sworn deputies from $45,000 to $50,000. This will be for approximately 490 deputies at the rank of lieutenant and below. As background, there are approximately 100 of our deputy sheriffs who live in touching counties because they can’t afford to live in St. Johns County. Additionally, in a recent 30-day period, we had four 10-year deputy sheriffs leave for a variety of reasons, but all were for higher paying jobs. I also propose to increase the base pay for our civilian staff $3,000 to $35,000.
Other items included in the requested increase include nearly $2 million to the Florida retirement system, $450,000 for an increase in health benefits for employees, $500,000 due to an increase in fuel costs across all agency vehicles, boats and helicopters, $500,000 for an increase in the inmates’ medical fund and $100,000 for the increased cost of ammunition.
I also propose adding 10 additional deputies (mostly for patrol, but one will be the deputy at the new Beachside High School) and one civilian. According to County Property Appraiser Eddie Creamer, since 2016, more than 25,000 homes have been added to the tax roll, so more deputies are needed.
Q: What is the next step?
A: During the commission meeting, while I was making my presentation, I told them that my goal was actually to increase the base pay for the deputies and civilians even more than was in my presentation, to $52,000 and $37,000 respectively. This would add approximately another $2 million to the increase requested. We received support from Commissioner Blocker to amend our presentation and now we are working closely with the Office of Management and Budget to figure out the best way to handle this. It will need to be done in July, prior to the commission’s vote at the first reading.
Q: What is the best way for our readers to contact you with any questions or suggestions about this article?
A: They can email me at sheriff@sjso.org or call me at (904) 824-8304. Also, our website, www.sjso.org has a wealth of resources, from alarm registration to Crime Stoppers to our Neighbors app.
