CLEVELAND, Tenn.-The Bradley County Commission’s Finance Committee wants to know more about how the sheriff’s office will meet its contract obligations after budget cutbacks.
In the fiscal year that began July 1, the department’s budget did not include enough money for services, including copy machine and software maintenance. Other items were axed when it became clear cuts would be needed, commissioners were told.
Commissioners also have learned the sheriff’s office now is paying for meth lab cleanups – a federal responsibility until recently. And the price of gasoline has soared, reducing the impact of conservation efforts.
The sheriff’s office is asking to move $157,032 from its fund balance to cover vehicle maintenance, gasoline, data processing and other contracted services. It seeks to move $70,842 in its jail fund to cover prisoners’ clothing, building maintenance and other contracted services.
The written explanation of the request is “monies [that were] cut from 2010-2011 budget that need to be added back to finish out remaining budget year.”