Boone sheriff’s next cut would be K9 unit

Last night I expressed my concerns regarding adequate protection for the county.  I asked the finance committee what changes in number of patrols or some other measure of police activity would occur at the Sheriff’s Department because of the 2010 budget restraints.  It seems that no measure of activity other than dollars and number of officers would be disclosed.  I was told to talk to the Sheriff.  The Sheriff was at the meeting but he did volunteer any information. 

 This newspaper piece is written in regard to Monday’s Public Safety subcommittee meeting.

Wirth told County Administrator Ken Terrinoni he wouldn’t have a choice but to eliminate the program as there isn’t anything else he could cut.
“This is something I’ve never been faced with before, and it’s frustrating,” he said. “Other administrators would say the same thing. We’re all trying to cooperate and do the right thing. I would like (the County Board) to use a little of the reserve money to help us. I think it’s sad we don’t give our nonunion employees raises

“We were told last week that there was some talk in the Sheriff’s Department about eliminating the program. It was never the board,” County Board member Cathy Ward said. “None of the board members have ever said to cut that particular program. We were told he wanted to cut it to give his lieutenants raises. It’s an important part of our community, and I hope it is not discontinued, but that’s up to the sheriff. ”

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