Multnomah County prepares to vote on $1M increase to Sheriff’s budget
3 min read
As the Sheriff warns of jails near capacity, Multnomah County Commissioners are scheduled to consider a proposal to increase the office’s budget by just under $ 1 million.
It comes after a letter to commissioners from SheriffNicole Morrisey O’Donnell noted that she has consistently requested more money for Human Resources staff that would help clear new correction officers for hire. Her current ask is for $965,885.00
"MCSO has requested additional funding for Human Resources and Background Investigations positions in each of the last three budget cycles, receiving no or very limited funding in each," the letter reads.
In the spring of 2023, in preparation for the 2024 budget approval,Morrisey O’Donnell had asked for $900,550 for the HR Department but only received $450,000.
Commissioner Julia Brim Edwards had put forward a proposal to fully grant that ask as a continuous budget item but County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson, Commissioners Jesse Beason and Lori Stegmann voted it down.
Brim Edwards says she hopes commissioners will consider granting the current ask but said it’s too little too late.
"This is really a late ask and response to the sheriff’s request and this is going to have an impact on community safety," she said. "So I really credit the sheriff for continuing to put this before the commission to really push on it and to sound the alarm about the impact this is gonna have on our community if something’s not done, soon or rather later."
During aLocal Public Safety Coordinating Council meeting on Oct 28,Morrisey O’Donnell warned staff that jails were at capacity and some inmates would be considered for early release.
Brim Edwards said beyond the public safety concerns that come with early releases she is also concerned that the Sheriff’s Office’s staffing issues will impact adults in custody.
"They might have visiting hours canceled and I mean regular visits but also maybe meetings with their attorneys, if they’re in a cell versus a dormitory they may not be able to get out of their cells for any security time just to walk or be in a common area," she said.
County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson was not available for an interview but sent a written statement noting that she fully approved all of the sheriff’s priority requests in the 2024 budget and said HR funding was not listed as a priority which is why it was only funded partially.
https://katu.com/news/local/multnomah-county-prepares-to-vote-on-increase-to-sheriffs-budget
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Author: KATU News
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News post in at: November 6, 2024, 3:02 am.
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