An inadvertent mistake in the state budget last year left a two-year hole of more than $30 million for sheriff's departments and regional jails across Virginia.
Gov. Bob McDonnell and the General Assembly have filled all but $7.4 million of the hole, but that shortfall still would mean the loss of more than 200 law-enforcement positions in the fiscal year that begins July 1.
The gap includes a shortfall of almost $1.3 million for sheriff's departments and three regional jails in the 20 localities across the greater Richmond region.
Richmond itself is the biggest potential loser, with $288,489 and more than eight positions at stake as the governor considers budget amendments to present to the General Assembly next week.
"The Richmond City Sheriff's Office is responsible for one of the largest jail and courts systems in the commonwealth of Virginia," said Sheriff C.T. Woody Jr. "Any reduction to our budget which may affect our ability to maintain the highest level of public safety can be seen as nothing less than devastating."
The Virginia Sheriffs' Association has asked McDonnell to amend the budget to provide the $7.4 million. "It's a serious concern," said John W. Jones, the association's executive director.
The governor's office isn't saying what McDonnell might do. "I know the governor is very aware of the concern for the law-enforcement community," spokesman Jeff Caldwell said. "It's something he pledged to look at and review in the budget."
The governor has addressed the problem three times since it was discovered last spring after the State Compensation Board already had allocated money that was not actually appropriated in the budget.
The shortfall was the result of a budget compromise that eliminated a half-percent tax on property and casualty insurance premiums that had been proposed by then-Gov. Timothy M. Kaine to finance a new Public Safety Trust Fund.
The House of Delegates refused to accept the tax, but the budget conference report still showed about $30.4 million for sheriffs and regional jails over the biennium.
"I think it was overlooked," Jones said.
McDonnell provided about $8.5 million to fill the hole in the current budget and the same amount for fiscal 2012. He then proposed an additional $6.5 million this year that the assembly whittled to $6 million.
"He's been taking bites at that apple for a long time," Caldwell said, "and it's still on his list."
The sheriffs aren't alone in their concern over reduced state funding for law enforcement. Police departments are expecting $6 million less in money due them next year under funds pledged in 1978 in exchange for a moratorium on cities' ability to annex from surrounding counties.
Sen. Janet D. Howell, D-Fairfax, chairwoman of the Senate finance subcommittee on public safety, tried to restore at least the $18.5 million that was cut from the funds last year. Ultimately, the assembly restored about $12.4 million.
"I would hope the governor would see the justice in putting additional money in both sheriffs and local police," Howell said.
Michael Martz
Richmond Times Dispatch
