Slashes in the King County budget may force Sheriff Sue Rahr to cut as many as 100 deputies from the county roster, she told members of the Sammamish Chamber of Commerce last week.
The city of Sammamish — and a number of other cities throughout the county — contract with the Sheriff’s Department to provide local law enforcement.
“I can assure you, you’re getting more for your money this way,” Rahr said of the partnership.
City Manager Ben Yazici thanked Sheriff Rahr for her managment and the service deputies provide to city residents, and agreed about the cost efficiency.
“Our police services cost about $100 per capita. That’s about 60 percent less than nationwide,” Yazici said.
In addition to covering 2,000 square miles of King County and providing direct service for about 500,000 residents, the Sheriff’s Department provides support services such as the SWAT team, computer investigation specialists, air support using the county’s helicopter, and specialized police service teams such as those serving the airport and Metro, she said.
The county’s 2009 budget has a predicted budget shortfall of $60 million, which means that Rahr has been asked to cut $10 million from the sheriff’s department budget during the remainder of this year and in 2009, Rahr said.
“About 4 percent of my budget is truly discretionary,” she said, explaining that of that 4 percent, about half has some spending requirements.
So, for the Sheriff’s Department to cut $10 million, Rahr said she’ll be forced to cut 100 deputy positions.
“We’re pretty panicked,” she said.
Like other county departments, the Sheriff’s Office has been through this process before.
“I know that there’s not any fat left,” Rahr said. “I expect that it’s going to be pretty volatile in the coming months.”
Also during her talk at the chamber, Rahr said she’s working to get the King County Metropolitan Council to add an amendment during its charter review process that would give the sheriff more control during negotiations with labor unions.
“I’m proposing that the sheriff be the bargainer for the King County Sheriff’s Department instead of the County Executive,” Rahr said. It’s difficult for her to manage her workforce while having to work through King County Executive Ron Sims as the bargaining agent.
“Issues come up all the time related to the contract,” Rahr said, noting that a number of former King County executives, the Sheriff’s blue Ribbon Panel, the Seattle Times and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer all have endorsed the proposed amendment. Seven out of 10 County Councilmembers support the proposal, she said.
“You need to have a professional law enforcement agency that you can rely on,” Rahr said. “It really boils down to common sense. I need the authority to be able to manage the outcomes in my department.”
The county charter is reviewed once every 10 years, and 10 charter amendments are under consideration by the County Council now.
“This is a great opportunity to participate in democracy,” she said, urging county residents to contact the charter review commission or County Council members.
