Sheriff's battle over budget nears resolution

Bob White will receive at least $100,000 more, but bad feelings simmer with county officials.

By DAVID DECAMP, Times Staff Writer
Published September 25, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY - The standoff between Sheriff Bob White and Pasco County officials limped closer to an end Monday, leaving the sheriff's budget at least $100,000 richer but doing little to salve relations.

The Sheriff's Office got money for up to 16 more crossing guards and traffic control officers, but not without a final round of bickering over budgeting habits and priorities.

Col. Al Nienhuis, the undersheriff, questioned the county's "trust" of the sheriff. County Commissioner Michael Cox chastised Nienhuis for not planning better, asking whether an audit of the Sheriff's Office was needed.

Budget director Mike Nurrenbrock accused the agency of leaving him without valuable information until "five minutes before this meeting started."

"I think this is enough," County Administrator John Gallagher said of the arguing. He urged the board to make the last call that balanced the $1.2-billion budget for 2008.

The commission did - but with a final hitch in the sheriff's plans. Instead of the full $200,000 White wanted for the traffic personnel, only half will go to his budget. The rest will go into a reserve fund until the money is actually needed.

"I don't want money to be any issue when we're talking about the safety of children," Commissioner Ted Schrader said.

In a last-minute salvo, White sent a letter after Monday's meeting asking the commission to promise that any unspent money be promised to pay for new deputy positions in 2008.

Commission Chairwoman Ann Hildebrand said the board will consider White's request. But she was skeptical he will succeed because tight finances mean the county should hang onto any extra money, she said.

"You can't blame a guy for trying," Hildebrand said.

The commission is set to approve the entire budget after a 6:30 p.m. public hearing today at the West Pasco Government Center in New Port Richey. It's a $110-million increase over this year, and includes $2-million to entice big companies to move to Pasco.

But county officials blamed state-ordered cuts to property taxes for creating a $15.8-million shortfall for services in July. That deficit included White's request for a $11.2-million increase, saying years of growth left his agency taxed. He wanted 109 new positions.

White's agency instead will get a $2.8-million increase over its $83.5-million budget this year. Ten deputies will be added costing $710,000 only if voters reject a Jan. 29 statewide referendum to increase property tax cuts. A judge's ruling late Monday left in doubt whether that vote would even take place. See story, 1A

The rancor of the sheriff's budget stood out against talks on the Supervisor of Elections Office budget. The commission made a summer routine of lauding Supervisor Brian Corley's amicable reaction to spending cuts, including Monday when he agreed to shave $65,000 for equipment.

The crowd gave Corley a hand, including White, his former boss before taking the election job.

"He's the man," a clapping White quietly said.

David DeCamp can be reached at ddecamp@sptimes.com or (800) 333-7505, ext. 6232.

[Last modified September 24, 2007, 22:40:38]