Sheriff wants new deputy; budget comes in over guidelines

Linn County Sheriff Brian Gardner brought in a budget $172,613 over guidelines, and he'll have to settle with the Board of Supervisors either today or Jan. 29.

Gardner, whose lucrative jail operation is still recovering from the flood, has taken two budget hits beyond his control. A state-mandated increase in contributions to sheriff's employees' retirement plans adds $109,000 to the budget, and an increase in the cost of medication for inmates will take more than $60,000.

Gardner also wants to hire a new patrol deputy for $78,538 to free up manpower to chase sex offenders and serve arrest warrants, of which there are several thousand outstanding.

“Some we may never serve,” Gardner said.

The U.S. Marshal is beginning to send more federal inmates to the jail, a major source of revenue for the county. But Immigration and Customs Enforcement isn't arresting as many people under the Obama administration, Gardner said. The jail, which has a capacity of 410 inmates, had an average daily population of 247 in fiscal 2009, down from 392 in fiscal 2008.

Supervisor Linda Langston said her only question is whether to fund the new position; everything else in the $16.4 million budget seems fine. It's not clear whether the supervisors will make a final decision on the sheriff's budget today or in a week.

The complete Linn County budget will be certified March 15.