Budget for new deputies gets positive response

By AMY MAY

The Daily Inter Lake

The Flathead County commissioners gave an unofficial thumbs-up to the Flathead County Sheriff's Office to begin the hiring process for two new deputies, who could start as soon as July.

The proposed budget, presented by Sheriff Mike Meehan to the commissioners Wednesday, would allow enough money to hire two additional deputies this summer and two more in January.

It also appears that the Sheriff's Office will be able cover the cost of the new deputies.

During the past several years, the office has not been spending all the money it has budgeted. By rearranging funds within the budget, it will be able to make the new hires with little to no additional cost.

The areas in which spending may be decreased include overtime pay, vehicle and building maintenance and computer software.

When Meehan first proposed hiring five additional officers in April, the estimated cost was about $400,000. Now a more accurate proposed cost for the four officers is about $190,000.

Although much of the budgeting details have not been completed, the commissioners and Meehan agreed hiring deputies is in the cards.

Commissioner Joe Brenneman said, "It's pretty apparent that hiring two deputies is feasible."

Flathead County currently employs 47 sworn officers, an equivalent of one officer for every 1,202 rural county residents. The national average is one officer for every 770 residents.

Even with the additional officers, Flathead County will exceed the national average by 337 residents per officer.

Reporter Amy May can be reached at 758-4459 or by e-mail at amay@dailyinterlake.com