Sheriff Makes Emergency Funding Request
The Board of El Paso County Commissioners will hold a special meeting Tuesday, August 28th to consider possible ballot language pursuant to an emergency funding request from the Sheriff’s Office.
During its annual presentation to the El Paso County Citizens Budget Oversight Committee the Sheriff’s Office outlined a backlog of critical needs which include inadequate equipment and staff support for fighting wild land fires, and insufficient funding to meet the increased needs for emergency preparedness and response as residents face new dangers from flooding in the aftermath of the Waldo Canyon Fire.
Sheriff Terry Maketa indicated in his presentation to the committee that his office no longer has sufficient staffing to meet minimum safety requirements for deputies responding to violent crimes in progress while on patrol and to properly protect jail deputies and inmates. The Sheriff’s presentation also highlighted the need to replace obsolete radio communications systems, video visitation equipment and aging security systems within the Criminal Justice Center.
Tuesday’s special meeting of the Board of County Commissioners will discuss the Sheriff’s Office request for a ballot initiative to be placed on the November general election ballot. Under Colorado law, the Board of County Commissioners must authorize any countywide initiative before it can be placed on a ballot for voter consideration. The meeting will start at 9 a.m. at Centennial Hall.
Contact: Dave Rose
Public Information Officer
Phone: 520-6540 Cell: 337-9239
DaveRose@elpasoco.com