Klamath Falls, Ore. – Borrowing on expected federal timber dollars may help to ease crime in Klamath County.
Klamath County Sheriff Frank Skrah was concerned that a proposed budget would force deputy layoffs…
“Patrol services will be reduced to one 8-hour shift, 5 days a week.”
Skrah warned that the layoffs would also result in fewer jail beds…
“If we take one person out of the jail, that basically closes that pod.”
But, the Klamath County Budget Committee has agreed to bridge a funding gap through federal timber dollars…even though that money hasn’t come in yet.
“But as that money gets allocated and come in, then it will be dedicated to the Sheriff’s office.” Explained Klamath County Commissioner Jim Bellet.
The county will set aside about $900,000 from the general fund for the Sheriff until the federal payments are made.
Commissioner Bellet: “I think the way we’ve laid it out with our assumptions, and the way the budget committee’s going to look at it, is probably pretty good funding for the Sheriff’s office.”
The budget committee will also allow the Sheriff to tap in to about $850,000 in Klamath County road reserves to maintain the same funding as last year.
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