The sheriff's new unmarked SUV

[idlewind]

Could you advise more detail what the current sheriff has done wrong? I'd be shocked if he got less than 80% of the vote in the next election.

I was looking over the county report sent out by Ms. Ingle and saw that the Sheriff's Dept. has continued to add employees while everyone else has taken significant (and needed) cuts. I asked someone I know and he told me that the increase has come in administrative personnel and that actual deputies are lower than when Ralph was in office. Since this man begged me to vote for the current Sheriff over Ralph, I believe him. That said, I doubt there will be any changes, it seems the worse incumbents do the more we vote for them.

 

[Bob Wells]

Link Please

 

[Matt J]

Again, if you or the other fly by poster would like to post actual reports or stats I'd take it into consideration, but so far all I'm seeing is gossip and innuendo. I find it hard to believe that we have fewer deputies as I've seen more deputies patrolling in the last year than ever.

Just for discussion sake, what exactly would be our options?

 

[idlewind]

Again, if you or the other fly by poster would like to post actual reports or stats I'd take it into consideration, but so far all I'm seeing is gossip and innuendo. I find it hard to believe that we have fewer deputies as I've seen more deputies patrolling in the last year than ever.

Just for discussion sake, what exactly would be our options?

I would guess the first option would be to follow the lead of SWFD and cut administrative posts first.

The link to Ms. Ingle's report is:

http://www.clerkofcourts.co.walton.fl.us/report/Annual_Citizens_Report_2010.pdf

If you look on page 8 you will notice that the BCC has cut 90 employees since 2007 while the Sheriff has added 33 positions. The other constitutional officers have all cut positions for a total of 12.
Also, if you look on page 11, the General Fund has been reduced over 11 million dollars since 2008 while the Sheriff has increased over 4 million. Every other constitutional officer has reduced their budget since 2008 (page 12) with the Clerk leading the way at a cut of over 900 thousand. The fire/ems service cut over 2 million and corrections and other public safety ( code enforcement?) increased about 400 thousand. The Parks Dept. also cut over 2 million dollars. Transportation cut 2 million.
I admit I am repeating something I heard from someone else regarding the number of administrative staff and deputies. I really don't know where to go to confirm it. But what got me looking and asking questions was the report Ms. Ingle put out and included in the DFS paper a couple of weeks ago. I am glad some of the officials are trying to save taxpayer money and in fact was pleasantly suprised. Ms. Ingle in particular deserves praise for her efforts.

 

[TheZohan]

If this is true why is the sheriffs dept hiring more. I have not noticed anymore than normal

 

[Investigator]

idlewild your right. sheriff mikkie is adding employees while every other department in the county has cut workers. but let's remember sheriff mikkie hires by the hour. he goes through veteran and young law enforcement officers like most people change underwear. the man shows no loyalty and they show him none. at least behind his back.

 

[TheZohan]

Maybe mikkie just needs help

 

[Andy A]

I have one question I consider to be of importance. Is he operating within his budget?

 

[idlewind]

I have one question I consider to be of importance. Is he operating within his budget?

As far as I can tell from the report he is. I think there are laws in Florida that prohibit going over your budget. I was told one time ( I know, heresay) that a public official who goes over budget in Florida is personally liable for the overage. I will look that up if I ever have time. But anyone can operate within a budget if the budget is high enough. Except the Federal government. I want all of them, local, state and federal to cut spending and restore sanity. I don't care what party they represent or who they are friends with, either they are fiscally responsible or they are not.

 

[scooterbug44]

idlewild your right. sheriff mikkie is adding employees while every other department in the county has cut workers. but let's remember sheriff mikkie hires by the hour. he goes through veteran and young law enforcement officers like most people change underwear. the man shows no loyalty and they show him none. at least behind his back.

It would make sense that there has been increased demand on the Sheriff's department in recent years and decreased demand on other departments.

And I don't know what your personal hiring/firing policies are, but IMO firing law enforcement staff for breaking the law seems correct. As does firing employees who are disloyal and doing things behind their employer's back.

One of the reasons we elected him Sheriff was to clean house.