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Cascade County Sheriff's Budget Problems

By KFBB News Team

Story Created: Nov 7, 2008 at 6:37 PM MST

Story Updated: Nov 7, 2008 at 6:37 PM MST

We all expect emergency services to respond as quickly as possible when we call for help but in tough economic times, the Cascade County Sheriff says he isn't getting enough money from the county and may have to cut officers which could lead to delays in response time to emergencies. News Channel 5 sat down with both the sheriff and a county commissioner. According to Sheriff David Castle earlier this year, Cascade County Commissioners negotiated a contract with the union representing the sheriff’s deputies and approved an increase of $700,000 in wages. Castle says that’s something he can’t afford and he “can’t believe they authorized expenditures without the money” and the consequences could be serious. “If the commissioners don’t put up money for wages,” he said he might have to make “serious cuts” including eliminating officers. However, Commissioner Joe Briggs says they commission has asked Castle to come down and talk with them since April- a claim Castle denies. Briggs says safety is a top priority of the commission and personnel is the “last place we’d like to see cuts.” He suggested the Sheriff make cuts elsewhere like to his fleet of 58 vehicles. He did add though that if the sheriff can prove he absolutely needs the money they’d try to find a way to provide the funds. Both sheriff and commissioner tell us they hope to get together to find a solution. News Channel 5 will keep you updated as this story unfolds.

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