Funding for Deputy Position fails - Tryon votes 'no'

At the Board of Supervisors meeting held 7-5-12 consent agenda item regarding funding of a vacant unfunded Deputy position failed in a 3-1 vote with Supervisor Tom Tryon voting no.

The Deputy position became vacant with the advent of AB 109. According to statements made at Sheriff Kuntz Town Hall meeting June 7, 2012, in the final draft of the Community Corrections Partnership, the Sheriff Department did receive funding for one Deputy, that Deputy was assigned to the Probation department with the understanding that the vacant position created at the Sheriff Department would be refilled. While the Copper Gazette is not aware of any prohibition or monitoring of supplantation for AB 109 funds, the removal of a Deputy position within the Sheriff Department to support the Probation Departments use of AB 109 funds without backfilling the position originally funded by local taxes could be viewed as supplantation of funds.



When compared to other counties, Calaveras County Sheriff Department received a  fraction of the AB 109 funding that has been allotted to Calaveras County.
Other counties and the percent of AB 109 funds distributed to the Sheriffs Department:
Contra Costa County 25%
Alameda County 47%
Fresno County 12%
Kern County 24%
Placer County15%
Calaveras County less than 7%

Based on the 11/12 preliminary plan submitted in March 2012 the Sheriff Department was slated to receive $31,322 of a total estimated funding of  $475, 507. According to the plan submitted Calaveras County Sheriff Department will receive less than 7% of the AB 109 funds.

The consent agenda item needed a 4 out of 5 vote to pass  - Spellman was not in attendance. Previously Spellman had contacted the Copper Gazette and voiced his concern over holding a meeting on 7-5-12 with the Board aware that he would not be available to attend the meeting.