Walton commissioners deny Sheriff's request

SoWal Insider

Feb 26, '08 · 9:00 PM5,956

I got to meet Andy this afternoon and he did a really good job on this. The sound system was bad and it was hard to hear at times. We both had deadlines and had to get this in quick tonight. My article will come out tomorrow in the Herald.

Good job, Andy

Ralph Johnson did not show up for a public hearing he had requested

Andy Meinen

Tuesday February 26th, 2008

Comment on this Story | Read Comments

DeFUNIAK SPRINGS ? Walton County Sheriff Ralph Johnson was a no-show Tuesday at a public hearing that he requested two weeks ago to ask the County Commission for a budget amendment.

In his place, Johnson sent Sheriff?s Office Capt. Eddie Farris, who asked commissioners to approve an additional $311,431 to the Sheriff?s Office budget for 911 equipment.

The commission voted unanimously to deny the request.

Farris said the Sheriff?s Office had a contract with Motorola Corp. to upgrade its 911 equipment because the old system was obsolete. Farris said a contract was initiated in August to buy the new equipment, but because of ?delays and the equipment having to be built and put together? the money for the new system had to be handed back to the county at the end of the fiscal year in October.

The Sheriff?s Office returned nearly $700,000 in excess funds about two weeks ago from last year?s budget to the Walton County Clerk of Court, which is required by law. The money was given back nearly four months after it should have been.

Commission Chairman Larry Johnson said he was concerned about the Sheriff?s Office asking for more money, when it had a surplus last year. When Farris was asked if the Sheriff?s Office would have the same surplus this year because the same budget was approved, Farris said that only Johnson could answer that.

Farris said the 911 system is in place and operational, but he added that no money had been paid on the contract.

After the meeting, Farris said Johnson got tied up at the office and couldn?t make it to the meeting. When asked what the next step was for the Sheriff?s Office and if it could pay for the new system, Farris said that only Johnson could answer those questions.

Commissioner Sara Commander said the commission shouldn?t give the Sheriff?s Office more money until an audit of Johnson?s books comes out next month.

Several men in the gallery spoke during the public hearing.

Sonny Heath said that the county should watch over the Sheriff?s Office budget more closely.

?This entire thing smells of impropriety to me,? he said.

But Commissioner Cindy Meadows said that constitutional officers? budgets are not the responsibility of the commission. When the commission approves an officer?s budget, it?s up each officer to spend the money, unless it?s for a capital project.

Interim County Attorney Mike Burke said that if the Sheriff?s Office spends more than $200,000 on a capital project such as a building, then the commission must approve it. But the money for the 911 equipment is considered ?goods and services? and doesn?t require commissioners? approval, Burke said.

DeFuniak Springs resident Tom Terrell was upset that Johnson didn?t show to a public hearing he had requested.

?I think it is unbelievable, unconscionable that the constitutional officer chose not to meet with the board of county commissioners on an item that was this important,? he said. ?Now maybe some people don?t think $311,000 is very important. I tend to think it is extremely important, and to send someone else to represent him I think is beyond belief.?

Terrell recommended that the commission should get a state auditor to review the Sheriff?s Office?s books.

Daily News Staff Writer Andy Meinen can be reached at 654-6905.

Replies

Beach Fanatic

Feb 26, '08 · 9:43 PM#2

Commission Chairman Larry Johnson said he was concerned about the Sheriff?s Office asking for more money, when it had a surplus last year. When Farris was asked if the Sheriff?s Office would have the same surplus this year because the same budget was approved, Farris said that only Johnson could answer that.

I emailed Andy to correct the Chairman's name. Curious, do the reporters that cover this area get a playbook as to who the players in government are? I am wondering if that is not something to put together. Maybe a directory, with contact information, pictures, and such.

SoWal InsiderAuthor

Feb 26, '08 · 9:52 PM#3

I emailed Andy to correct the Chairman's name. Curious, do the reporters that cover this area get a playbook as to who the players in government are? I am wondering if that is not something to put together. Maybe a directory, with contact information, pictures, and such.

No playbook and I'll never sit in that section again. It was hard to hear and I got some really bad reception on my tape recorder. I had to ask Dotty Nist, our usual BCC reporter who a few people were. I could hear the BCC much better than Capt. Farris and having to make a deadline in under an hour (they were holding the press for me) was a little tough. I like to be able to play an entire interview back before I write one word about it but this was important to go to press tonight. :wave:

Beach Fanatic

Feb 26, '08 · 10:00 PM#4

No playbook and I'll never sit in that section again. It was hard to hear and I got some really bad reception on my tape recorder. I had to ask Dotty Nist, our usual BCC reporter who a few people were. I could hear the BCC much better than Capt. Farris and having to make a deadline in under an hour (they were holding the press for me) was a little tough. I like to be able to play an entire interview back before I write one word about it but this was important to go to press tonight.

If I were the BCC that would be one of the few areas that you could sit in and see everything and hear everything. You should mention it to Commissioner Jones, I am sure he could get it cleared up somehow.

SoWal Expert

Feb 26, '08 · 11:44 PM#5

I thought one of the big issues being brought up for this request of funds was that the Sheriff never even got a bid for the $311K worth of goods. The BCC is required to get bids, but the Sheriff's Dept gets to do pretty much what they want. Smells like trouble to me, too.

aleonard, this might help you out, although that is a terrible photo of Commissioner Jones. >>>

SoWal InsiderAuthor

Feb 27, '08 · 6:52 AM#6

I thought one of the big issues being brought up for this request of funds was that the Sheriff never even got a bid for the $311K worth of goods. The BCC is required to get bids, but the Sheriff's Dept gets to do pretty much what they want. Smells like trouble to me, too.

aleonard, this might help you out, although that is a terrible photo of Commissioner Jones. >>>

Jones is the one I wasn't familiar with and sitting in a line from where I was at it was hard sometimes to see who was talking. Thanks for the photo's SJ. I quoted someone about the bid process not being followed in my article.There were a few standout things about this meeting. I found the interaction between the BCC to be interesting as well and covered that rather intensely. :wave:

Beach Fanatic

Feb 27, '08 · 6:57 AM#7

All I can say is that I hope everyone is paying attention and shows it during the upcoming election for sheriff. I also hope that the candidates that frequent this board also pay attention and realize that the "deals behind the badge" are starting to be scrutinized more closely.

Beach Fanatic

Feb 27, '08 · 7:14 AM#8

I thought one of the big issues being brought up for this request of funds was that the Sheriff never even got a bid for the $311K worth of goods. The BCC is required to get bids, but the Sheriff's Dept gets to do pretty much what they want. Smells like trouble to me, too.

If it was an upgrade to existing equipment, I can understand the lack of a bid. The other thing they would have to take into account is the compatibility of the SO equipment with what is being used at the EOC and SW Fire. Even the BCC has exceptions that would allow you around the bid procedure for that situation.

But it is an awful lot of money. I thought all of those types of purchases were capital. But the county attorney said that only buildings and real estate were capital expenditures last night. On the school district side all equipment comes out of the capital budget.

SoWal InsiderAuthor

Feb 27, '08 · 7:20 AM#9

If it was an upgrade to existing equipment, I can understand the lack of a bid. The other thing they would have to take into account is the compatibility of the SO equipment with what is being used at the EOC and SW Fire. Even the BCC has exceptions that would allow you around the bid procedure for that situation.

But it is an awful lot of money. I thought all of those types of purchases were capital. But the county attorney said that only buildings and real estate were capital expenditures last night. On the school district side all equipment comes out of the capital budget.

It was my understanding that the equipment was installed but they had not switched over to the new system and are scheduled to do that on Mar. 10. So, if you are still running on your old system and have not switched over to a new one, is it an upgrade or is it a new system? Or is it both :idontno:

Beach Fanatic

Feb 27, '08 · 7:39 AM#10

It was my understanding that the equipment was installed but they had not switched over to the new system and are scheduled to do that on Mar. 10. So, if you are still running on your old system and have not switched over to a new one, is it an upgrade or is it a new system? Or is it both

Now that is a good question. I guess it would take some research to figure out just what has happened.

Beach Lover

Feb 27, '08 · 7:42 AM#11

The Sheriff was in a booth at the WZEP cooking show at the time of the BCC hearing. Once again he sent his attorney and a subordinate to plead his case to the Commission and the public.

One more "In your face".

This issue is far from over - next come the legal issues from the State.

SoWal InsiderAuthor

Feb 27, '08 · 8:02 AM#12

Now that is a good question. I guess it would take some research to figure out just what has happened.

I have the paperwork on it. I believe it is a new system that is considered an "upgrade" from the existing one.:scratch:

Beach Fanatic

Feb 27, '08 · 8:09 AM#13

The Sheriff was in a booth at the WZEP cooking show at the time of the BCC hearing.

This man has some serious "priority" issues.

SoWal Expert

Feb 27, '08 · 8:19 AM#14

Regarding the semantics of "upgrade," I can have a Canon Rebel XT and say that I want to upgrade to a Nikon D500. The two cameras are not at all compatible, nor are many of the accessories, such as the expensive lenses. Upgrade, in that case, simply means purchasing a better camera system than what I had. The same thing could be said with the motorola equipment the Sheriff bought. To be fair, I have no idea if the system he bought is compatible with existing equipment, or if another brand might also be compatible, nor do I know whether it is an entirely new system, and they are trashing the old system.

Beach Fanatic

Feb 27, '08 · 8:42 AM#15

The Sheriff was in a booth at the WZEP cooking show at the time of the BCC hearing. Once again he sent his attorney and a subordinate to plead his case to the Commission and the public.

One more "In your face".

This issue is far from over - next come the legal issues from the State.

Amen. It is about time something gets done. This is completely insane and unjust.

Beach Fanatic

Feb 27, '08 · 8:44 AM#16

This man has some serious "priority" issues.

Yes, he certainly does...

His priority is HIMSELF and no one else. Just want we need for an elected official.

Beach Comber

Feb 27, '08 · 9:28 AM#17

Yup,

Deadline pressure got to me. My bad. I already called Commissioner Jones and apologized. But I'd like to say sorry to all the readers also. I know Larry Jones well and have used his name correctly numerous times.

I pride myself on accuracy and being straight forward with my writing and sources, so this burns me bad. I won't forget it.

Andy Meinen

SoWal InsiderAuthor

Feb 27, '08 · 10:33 AM#18

Yup,

Deadline pressure got to me. My bad. I already called Commissioner Jones and apologized. But I'd like to say sorry to all the readers also. I know Larry Jones well and have used his name correctly numerous times.

I pride myself on accuracy and being straight forward with my writing and sources, so this burns me bad. I won't forget it.

Andy Meinen

I named the wrong person, Chairman, Andy. My bad as well. We will run a retraction next week. You still did a very good job and I enjoy reading your work. Keep it up. : )

AL

Edited Feb 27, '08 · 12:42 PM

SoWal Expert

Feb 27, '08 · 10:35 AM#19

It's really an easy mistake, since the story is on Sheriff Johnson, but I wonder how many readers will think that County Commissioner Chairman "Larry Johnson" and Sheriff Johnson are related.

Beach Fanatic

Feb 27, '08 · 12:12 PM#20

Yup,

Deadline pressure got to me. My bad. I already called Commissioner Jones and apologized. But I'd like to say sorry to all the readers also. I know Larry Jones well and have used his name correctly numerous times.

I pride myself on accuracy and being straight forward with my writing and sources, so this burns me bad. I won't forget it.

Andy Meinen

Andy, any idea why the paper pulled your story off the website ofter a few hours? It's still there, I can still get to it via a link posed elsewhere on Sowal, but it's off the front page, and it's not listed under "local news".

???

Beach Fanatic

Feb 27, '08 · 3:58 PM#21

I have the paperwork on it. I believe it is a new system that is considered an "upgrade" from the existing one.:scratch:

Well if you have a computer and you buy a new computer, I do not consider that an upgrade, but a replacement. I guess it is all semantics.

SoWal Expert

Feb 27, '08 · 4:02 PM#22

It's really an easy mistake, since the story is on Sheriff Johnson, but I wonder how many readers will think that County Commissioner Chairman "Larry Johnson" and Sheriff Johnson are related.

And you can probably find lots of "Johnson" t-shirts in the PCB and Destin souvenir stores. Located on the shelves next to the rebel flag beach towels. :lol:

uh oh I bet this post gets deleted...... :idontno:

Beach Fanatic

Feb 28, '08 · 7:24 PM#23

The Sheriff was in a booth at the WZEP cooking show at the time of the BCC hearing. Once again he sent his attorney and a subordinate to plead his case to the Commission and the public.

One more "In your face".

This issue is far from over - next come the legal issues from the State.

What could possibly be more important than expanding your training horizons when you are about to be phased out of your job? Come on people, give the guy a break, he can't help being like this, he was born this way.:rofl:

Beach Fanatic

Feb 29, '08 · 5:16 AM#24

Spend, spend, spend. Who paid for the cooking school? What was to featured topic on the agenda, "Learning how to cook the books?" :floor:

More on the costly project - The Driving Track...
Proposed Sheriff?s driving course to cost $40,000 more than Okaloosa?s

You can comment on this story below

Sean Boone
2008-02-28 10:59:00

The newly proposed Walton County Sheriff?s driving safety facility is expected to cost approximately $43,000 more than the one the Okaloosa Sheriff?s Office uses.
The proposed safety driving course, which Sheriff Ralph Johnson has said would train Walton Emergency Operations vehicles as well sheriff?s deputies, is estimated to cost nearly $358,000 and would model the Pat Thomas Academy training facility in Tallahassee. A press release from the sheriff?s office last month said the course would provide ?room for precision maneuvers, such as backing, emergency braking, serpentine maneuvers, parking, J-turns, going between objects and other aspects of both law enforcement driving and basic defensive driving skills.?
According to Okaloosa Walton College Director of Public Safety/Criminal Justice Brian Shank, the driving facility built in 2005 on the OWC campus cost roughly $315,000 to build and much like the Thomas facility, allows civilians to enroll in programs and use it. The facility is used by not only the Okaloosa Sheriff?s Office, but also enrolled students in the criminal justice and law enforcement training classes.
?It costs us roughly $365 per student for a 48 hour course,? he said. ?The cost per person is $198. The difference in cost is paid for by the state.?
Captain Eddie Farris of the sheriff?s office said the new course is not scheduled to offer classes to civilians and unlike the Pat Thomas center, which uses adjunct officers to teach the courses, would be using on-duty officers.
The course has come under scrutiny due to a recent proposal from the sheriff to obtain money from last year?s surplus budget to build it.

SoWal Expert

Feb 29, '08 · 9:07 AM#25

I know nothing about either of the driving courses, but if they are built to the same specs, I don't see a story behind a 13.6% increase in price. I'd guess that most of the costs comes from paving, and I'd almost bet money that asphalt/paving prices have risen more than 13% over the last three years (Okaloosa's driving course was completed in 2005, and probably contracted in 2004). Heck, I just heard that the price of eggs has risen 40% in the last year.

Edited Feb 29, '08 · 9:08 AM