Sheriff’s Budget Cut to the Bone.

The public hearing for the purposed Jasper County 2004 budget was yesterday at 10 a.m. in the County Commission Office. Jasper County Sheriff Archie Dunn was present and stated that he would like to have $82,000 for salary costs reinstated.

"Most people don’t know that the original budget I submitted was cut $207,000," said Dunn after the meeting. "I cut my budget, and was able to save them $124,000."

According to Dunn he plans to discontinue the service of security deputies at the Joplin and Carthage Courthouses. The salary required for the four deputies is about equal to the $82,000 Dunn would like reinstated in the Sheriff Department budget.

"People expect us to protect and serve our communities," said Dunn, "but the County Commissioners don’t. I have had three meetings with them and they don’t want to negotiate. I was told to cut my budget to come up with (the $82,000). I can’t do that. I have already cut my budget to the bone."

The Commissioners have until December 31st to finalize the 2004 budget.

‘Course the real question surroundin’ the County Budget talks is priorities. From what I understand the Sheriff’s Department can have four security deputies at the courthouses for about the cost of three outside deputies. It looks ta me that Sheriff Dunn is puttin’ the decision of what’s more important to the County Commissioners.

There are those who could give a rip about havin’ folks searched ever’ time they stop by ta pay their taxes. They’d much rather have a few more deputies out on the street.

Now I haven’t gone over the Sheriff budget with a fine tooth comb, so I don’t know what other options may be available to keep the cost of operation down.

The interestin’ part is this is where Dunn has drawn the line and now if he’ll stick to his guns.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Carthage Printing

HERE’S A TIP

By JoAnn Derson

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