Bastrop, Tx–At their regular business session March 23, Bastrop County commissioners approved a grant application seeking up to 12 additional patrol officers for the sheriff’s department. If approved, the federal grant would cover the first three years of salary and benefits for the new officers.
Accepting the grant if awarded, however, commits the county to funding their pay for at least one additional year as well as spending roughly $50,000 each to buy patrol cars, weapons and other equipment, said Bastrop County Auditor Lisa Smith.
For 12 new officers, that’s a $600,000 bite out of the county’s operating budget for the fiscal year which begins in October, said County Judge Ronnie McDonald. He suggested that March may be too early in the year to begin setting costly budget priorities for the coming fiscal year.
Sheriff Terry Pickering asked commissioners to apply for up to 15 more patrol officers. Pct. 4 Commissioner Lee Dildy suggested that seeking nine additional patrol officers might be a more reasonable step. Initially he was backed by Pct. 1 Commissioner Willie Pena.
Smith said in recent years the county has added an average of about three additional patrol deputies each year and the grant funds for pay and benefits, if approved by grant reviewers, would represent a significant saving to local taxpayers over three years.
McDonald warned that current economic conditions could pose a significant challenge to the county in the coming budget year.
Pct. 2 Commissioner Clara Beckett and Pct. 3 Commissioner John Klaus called for trying to add 12 patrol officers beginning, perhaps, late this year after grants are awarded. “People want to see more patrols,” said Klaus. “I hear that everywhere.”
When it came time to vote, all four commissioners endorsed the 12-officer application.