By Carol McIntire
Editor
February 2, 2010
Carroll County Sheriff Dale Williams is asking the public to boost his department’s budget by a half million dollars per year.
Williams asked for, and received, approval to place a 1 mill levy on the May 4 primary election ballot for the purpose of providing police protection to residents. Carroll County Auditor E. Leroy VanHorne said a 1 mill levy will generate about $541,000 per year.
“It’s not easy for me to ask people for money,” Sheriff Williams said while making the request to commissioners Monday. “The last two years my budget has been cut a total of $280,000 and I am trying to bring back the excellent department I built when I took office in 2005. I don’t want to go backwards.”
Williams said the levy will be for a five-year period with collection beginning with tax year 2010. He said the money will go directly into a fund for the sheriff’s department and not into the general fund.
“I hope that, if the voters approve the levy, you (commissioners) will not cut my budget by that amount,” Williams stated.
“You have a grant right now that is paying the salary of two deputies that will run through the end of the year, right?” asked Commissioner President Tom Wheaton. “Right,” replied Williams.
“So it looks like you lost money in your budget, but the grant is helping make up for it,” Wheaton said. “We used the income estimated provided by the auditor’s office when we did your budget. We understand they are just estimates, but they are what we were given. I don’t feel we did anything more harsh to the Sheriff’s Department budget than we did to other departments. We did the best we could with what we had.”
Williams’ 2010 budget is $1,176,306. His actual expenditures in 2009 were $1,284,159.
“The hardest thing for me is to ask the taxpayers for more money. I wouldn’t ask if we didn’t need it,” Williams said.
“The state has been passing down cuts to us for several years and we’ve been holding the debt,” Wheaton commented. “Now we are going to the people. I’ve feared for the last couple years it would come to this.”
I think the levy is okay because we are giving people the choice. We are in dire straights, but so are they. The last think I want to do is push it on to the people.”
Commissioner Larry Garner agreed.
“I understand the people are in dire straights, but our 2010 budget scraped the bottom of the barrel. If we can’t keep cruisers on the highway, how can we protect the people of Carroll County and their property? I say we let the people have the voice in this.”
Williams said he is willing to talk to local organizations and groups about the need for the levy. To schedule a visit, contact him at 330-627-2141. |
