El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte announced a staffing shift to cut overtime costs after the sheriff's office ended the fiscal year with a nearly $6 million deficit. The department plans to move operations officers to the downtown jail to reduce overtime by approximately 40% while maintaining state mandates.
The sources don't state an effect on taxes. They do state these figures.
Sheriff's office fiscal year deficitNearly $6 million12Who pays or receives it: El Paso County
Requested overtime funding for special operations$356,0001Who pays or receives it: El Paso County
Requested DWI operations overtime fundingMore than $220,0001Who pays or receives it: El Paso County
Requested DWI contingencies fundingMore than $39,0001Who pays or receives it: El Paso County
Requested Red Sands operations overtime fundingMore than $93,0001Who pays or receives it: El Paso County
Who's involved
Oscar UgarteEl Paso County Sheriff
Sergio CoronadoEl Paso County Commissioner
El Paso County Sheriff's OfficeGovernment agency
El Paso County CommissionersGovernment body reviewing budget requests
The facts
El Paso County Sheriff's Office ended fiscal year with nearly $6 million deficit, with overtime as main driver.1
Sheriff's office lacks dedicated DWI unit and has relied on overtime for DWI enforcement operations.1
Sheriff said staffing reassignment is expected to reduce overtime approximately 40%.1
Staffing reduction to come from moving operations officers to downtown jail and annex.1
Sheriff said sheriff's office still meeting all state mandates despite changes.1
County commissioners did not take action on requested overtime funds pending more information.1
Sheriff said new fleet vehicles were funded through pre-approved capital project, not affecting budget.1
Who said what
These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.
Oscar Ugarte, Sheriff DWI is one of biggest concerns for community; goal is fully funded DWI task force.1
Sergio Coronado, Commissioner DWI and special operations needed; uncertain whether issues justify $6M deficit.1
Sergio Coronado, Commissioner DWI arrests take patrol officers out of service temporarily.1
Where the sources disagree
Whether $6 million deficit is justified by operational issues Nearly $6 million cited per [1]; Commissioner Coronado questioned whether issues justify that amount per [1]
These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.
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