Committee approves release of roughly $1.2M in reserves to Sheriff's Office for rent, body‑worn cameras and staffing

The Sheriff's Office requested release of reserves placed on the FY25–26 budget totaling about $1.2 million to cover several needs: approximately $25,000 for holdover property rent at 70 Oak Grove; roughly $93,000 for software licensing and outstanding invoices related to body‑worn cameras; and $1,000,000 for salary and fringe to cover staffing and operational costs.

Patrick Leung, the Sheriff's Office chief financial officer, said the department had hired substantially more deputies than planned (118 new deputies vs. a goal of 75), which increased personnel costs, and that the office has been paying a holdover lease rate since May 2024 while leases were negotiated. Leung also said there is a remaining $50,000 invoice for training tied to the Axon contract amendment.

BLA summarized the reserves and recommended approval; the committee voted to release the funds and file the hearing (roll call: Sauter, Chen, Dorsey — 3 ayes).