Anne Arundel?s sheriff?s department is getting enough money in the county executive?s proposed operating budget to cover pay increases ? much like many county departments for the upcoming year.
“Our budget is flat because of the times we?re in,” said Sheriff Ron Bateman.
“I?m not complaining about our funding, because I understand the economic situation. It just means we have to continue to work hard, and our services will not diminish.”
A tight $1.22 billion proposed operating budget is forcing officials to find better use of funds.
Earlier this year, County Executive John R. Leopold asked each department to consider a 5 percent funding cut.
The sheriff?s department is actually getting $600,000 more in funding in its $7.8 million budget, but it?s mostly going to negotiated contract agreements for employee pay increases.
Many departments are directing funding increases to raises or vehicle fleet maintenance.
The sheriff?s department reduced its vacancies from 10 to two in the past year, said Bateman, who added grant funding could help increase the number of warrants cleared this year.
Bateman testified Thursday before the County Council, which applauded the department?s unique efforts to close warrants, such as sending out bogus letters notifying wanted people of tax refunds to lure them to Annapolis.
As a result, the number of outstanding warrants has gone down 27 percent from 13,584 to 9,916, Bateman said.
“These stings are great to read about, but maybe you should keep some of these things secret,” Councilman Ron Dillon Jr., R-District 3, said jokingly.
Council Chairwoman Cathy Vitale, R-District 5, questioned how Leopold?s policy of curbing take-home county vehicles was affecting the sheriff?s department.
Of the department?s 49 vehicles, nine are operated by deputies who live outside the county, including the Eastern Shore. They are not allowed to take the county vehicle home, Bateman said.
“We have a tight grip on the use of our vehicles,” he said.
However, three of those deputies ? each on a different warrant team ? rotate taking a vehicle home to help transport prisoners from Eastern Shore and western Maryland counties.
“Only if we see an opportunity, do we let them take their car home,” Bateman said.
Councilman Daryl Jones, D-District 1, questioned the department?s ability to transport people with physical disabilities after problems transporting an inmate who used a wheelchair to the courthouse.
Bateman said he was unaware of the incident and is hoping to partner with the county?s Department of Aging and Disabilities to use one of its wheelchair-accessible vans on an on-call basis.
“I’ll definitely look into that,” he told the council.
