Gold Hill, Ore. — The money is there, but the city of Gold Hill is still waiting on their contracted sheriff’s deputy.
In July the city began setting aside funds for 40-hours of law enforcement services a week from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. City Manager, Rick Hohnbaum, said they hoped to have the position filled back in November, but they’re still waiting.
Hohnbaum said with transfers and retirements the sheriff’s office first needs to fill vacancies within their office before fulfilling their contract with Gold Hill.
“Even while they have four new recruits in school right now that will be coming out very quickly they still are operating at minimum level within their own organization,” he said.
Hohnbaum added funding for positions and recruiting for vacancies in law enforcement agencies is a challenge across the state. And while they don’t have a deputy patrolling 40 hours a week just yet, he said the sheriff’s office will continue to respond to emergency calls in Gold Hill.
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