Sheriff Budgets in Chaos: What Went Wrong?

The state’s budget rules for county sheriffs have been exposed as badly broken, prompting lawmakers to demand a thorough overhaul.

Key Findings

Excess Spending: Many sheriff’s offices have spent far more than the money they were legally given, sometimes by huge margins.
Root Causes:
The state under‑funds the offices.
Sheriffs themselves overspend.
Delayed Oversight: Lawmakers only see the numbers after the money is already spent, preventing pre‑emptive action.
Unapproved Pay: Sheriffs earned hundreds of thousands in extra pay, a practice not approved by law.
Hidden Revenue: Civil process units collect fees for subpoenas and property seizures that can add up to millions, yet are rarely checked by the state.

Funding Adjustments: The state gave about $27 million for inmate programs (raises, free phone calls) but stopped funding other needs during the probe.
Urgency: Budget leaders emphasize the need to clamp down on questionable spending and rebuild trust.
Reports:
Preliminary report released last week.
Final report expected by end of May.

Sheriff associations say they would welcome any review that improves public confidence and helps keep facilities safe.

Misuse of Campaign Money: One sheriff stepped down after agreeing to pay a fine.
Other Charges: Accusations of drunken driving and extortion; another sheriff is fighting federal charges.

These scandals have brought the usually quiet sheriff positions into the spotlight, showing that even elected officials can be held accountable.