Sheriff's Office outlines fund balances and asks to proceed with deputy hires

County staff on Monday presented a detailed accounting of the Sheriff's Office's budgetary accounts and asked the Board of Commissioners to allow pre-hiring steps for multiple deputy positions.

Presenter Sean summarized general-fund and special-fund activity for law enforcement, saying intergovernmental revenue in the sheriff general fund is "just shy about $370,000 of $1.45" million and noting transfers to equipment-replacement and other specialized funds. He reported fund balances including $134,006.82 in the CRT fund, $1,384,669 in benefit administration and $1,276,538 in the sheriff technology reserve.

An agency official who spoke about staffing confirmed the department has five deputy vacancies and said three conditional offers have been extended; those candidates are completing polygraph, psychological and medical clearance and would enter the next police academy in Vancouver if cleared. The official asked the board for permission to "move forward" with hiring those three and possibly a lateral applicant if that candidate clears background checks.

Commissioners discussed timing and oversight. Chair (speaker 1) and other commissioners agreed pre-hiring steps could proceed but expressed a preference to give Commissioner Raider an opportunity to weigh in on final approvals. "We're willing to look at exceptions," the chair said, but asked to hold some final action until the absent commissioner can comment.

Why it matters: the Sheriff's Office maintains several distinct accounts for operations, equipment replacement and special programs; the presentation showed significant cash reserves in some funds while also signaling near-term personnel needs that will affect staffing and patrol capacity. The board did not take a formal vote on hiring at the meeting; staff described the request as moving forward with pre-hiring steps (conditional offers and onboarding) rather than adding employees to payroll immediately.

What happens next: staff said they will continue final background checks and medical clearances and hoped to have new hires in the academy by July. Commissioners asked that final hiring approvals await Commissioner Raider's input before appointments are activated.