VIGO Co., Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — As the Vigo County Council works toward their 2021 budget, requests for funding are coming in. One is coming from the Vigo County Sheriff’s Office.
“A lot of the time we just don’t have the man power. And if you’re a county resident wanting the service that you pay for, you’re just not getting it,” said Vigo County Sheriff John Plasse.
The sheriff’s office is looking to bring on seven new deputies with the help of a federal grant. But the council has a role to play.
“It doesn’t cover the whole cost of the deputies. But, it covers the majority of that cost for three years,” he said.
According to the sheriff, it costs around $525,000 a year to pay 7 deputies. The grant would pay around $291,000 a year for three years, leaving the council to pay around $231,000 for the three years.
But to get the grant, the council must agree to fund the entire cost OF $525,000 for a fourth year. However, changes in revenue due to COVID-19 could present it as a challenge.
“We get revenue from several sources and we’re trying to see if those sources are going to be reduced. Obviously some of those are,” said County Council President Mike Morris.
According to Morris, taxpayers won’t have to worry about any increases.
“Many people are struggling to pay the taxes that are on the books right now. So I don’t even think that’s on the consideration,” he said.
But what is being considered is if the budget can support this kind of expense.
“We’re going to have to make our best guesstimate of what those revenues are going to be. And then we’ll set the budget accordingly” Morris said.
The Vigo County Council is scheduled to vote on the budget on October 1.
