ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, May 30, 1996 TAG: 9605300074
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHRISTINA NUCKOLS STAFF WRITER
Several Roanoke Valley sheriff's offices could shrink this summer under state funding cuts.
Roanoke, Salem and Roanoke County all face staff reductions beginning July 1. The three localities are asking the state Compensation Board to reconsider its decision, but, officials say, the matter could end up in court.
Some cuts are the result of reductions in inmate populations at local jails, said Bruce Haynes, executive director of the Compensation Board. Others are part of an effort to shift resources to localities that are considered understaffed for court services deputies.
Court services deputies provide courthouse security and deliver summonses and other legal documents. Because the state did not increase funding for court services, the Compensation Board is eliminating positions through attrition in some departments to free money for transfer to other localities with greater needs, Haynes said.
Haynes said the process won't resolve all the needs. Of the 125 sheriff's offices in Virginia, the Compensation Board has ruled that 96 are understaffed by a total of 291 positions. However, the board has identified only 63 positions in the remaining 29 departments as being in excess of their basic needs.
Once all the changes are made, the Roanoke Valley is expected to have a net reduction in correctional officers and court services deputies, even though Bedford and Botetourt counties each will get two new staff members this year.
Money for correctional officers is assigned to localities based on inmate populations, while the general population of a city or county determines the number of court services deputies it should have. Even the sheriffs admit they don't always understand how the state arrives at its decision on how many employees they need to operate.
"I still don't know who did it," said Salem Sheriff Everette Obenshain Jr., who is to lose half of his 10-person staff. "I still haven't figured it out."
Here's how the cuts would affect Roanoke Valley localities:
Roanoke: The city has been notified that it could lose up to seven court services deputies through attrition. Maj. George McMillan declined to discuss the issue because the city has asked the Compensation Board to preserve those positions.
"We don't want to say anything to jeopardize their reconsideration," McMillan said.
The board is expected to meet within two weeks to consider the city's request.
Roanoke County: The county stands to lose two correctional officers July 1. Three other court service officers would be eliminated through attrition.
Sheriff Gerald Holt said the daily average inmate population at the county jail is 150, about 15 fewer than last year's average, which could account for the reduction in correctional officers. However, Holt said his department already was one person short of the recommended staffing level set by the state.
Salem: Five of the department's 10-person staff are to be eliminated through attrition.
"That's half my staff," Sheriff Obenshain said. "If they cut those positions, there's no way we can have court."
The department must provide two deputies for Circuit Court at all times, Obenshain said. If an inmate is present at the courthouse, a third deputy is stationed there for security.
Botetourt County: Two medical officers will be added to the jail staff July1. Sheriff Reed Kelly said the jail has qualified for several years for a medical officer and medical records clerk to monitor inmates' health needs. He said the department requested those positions this year, but that the Compensation Board made a mistake when it instead approved the two medical officers.
Bedford County: The county will receive one new correctional officer and one extra road deputy for the coming year. Sheriff Mike Brown said the additions are the result of an increase in the inmate population as well as the general population of the county.
"So, praise the Lord," he said.
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