Glenn County is facing a million dollar budget shortfall, which Sheriff Larry Jones says is forcing him to make some tough choices.

The Glenn County Board of Supervisors has re-established the ad hoc budget committee to deal with the budget deficit. The committee has recommended that an additional $225,000 be taken from the Sheriff's budget. However, the recommendation still has to be approved by the Board of Supervisors.

Earlier this year, the Sheriff's Department was planning to eliminate 24-hour patrols, but was able to avoid that when $200,000 was restored to the budget. Now Sheriff Larry Jones is taking action in the effort to avoid any further cuts to the department.

Those measures include:

1. The temporary suspension of the Sheriff’s K-9 program for the remainder of the fiscal year; which will save $14,800.

2. Not filling positions left open following the retirement of two employees for the remainder of the fiscal year.

3. Two vacant correctional officer positions will temporarily not be filled until the current budget is stabilized.

4. The redirecting of a portion of Federal Recovery Act funds.

5. The elimination of overtime backfill. The Sheriff says this will have an adverse impact on patrols. A deputy will be placed on stand-by, at a much reduced cost, and respond to assist a fellow deputy on a call-out basis. Delayed responses are to be expected.

The Sheriff made it very clear that any reduction in sworn staff would result in the loss of twenty-four hour coverage, which Jones says he will vehemently oppose.

In addition, Sheriff Jones will also order the following policy and procedural changes:

• Misdemeanor crime reports with no witnesses, and/or suspects, will now be taken by phone when appropriate. Misdemeanor crimes in progress will still be responded to.

• Child custody exchanges will now require the involved parties to schedule such business at the Sheriff’s Office in Willows, where they can be electronically monitored. Deputies will no longer respond to locations within the County.

• Whenever possible, phone or counter reports will be taken. Supervisors will evaluate all calls for service for the appropriate response.

• The Sheriff’s Office will severely limit or otherwise eliminate the participation in events held in various parts of the County for the remainder of this fiscal year unless they can be manned by volunteers, i.e., Community Resource Fair, informational and instructional booths, such as at the County Fair, etc.

• Special and extra patrols will be severely curtailed and/or eliminated.

• All travel and training will be limited to those mandated and absolutely necessary.

• Effective Monday, September 13, 2010 the Sheriff’s Administrative Offices will open at 8:00 a.m. and close at 5:00 p.m. This is a change from opening at 7:30 a.m. and closing at 5:30 p.m. The office will still remain open during the lunch hour to serve the public.

Sheriff Jones also says the public should expect reductions in service. In a statement, the Sheriff wrote "We have done everything possible to maintain a high level of service to our citizens; however with this unprecedented budget crisis we are now confronted with, it becomes imperative to reduce operational costs wherever, and whenever possible.

However, we view the protection of life, property, and the safety of our children, obligations that cannot, and will not, be ignored. The Glenn County Sheriff’s Office will still continue to do everything within its power to meet these obligations as it implements temporary monetary saving measures. We will work with a spirit of cooperation with the board of supervisors, as we must continue to seek answers and solutions to these trying issues."