LEE CO. SHERIFF REQUESTS $2 MILLION BUDGET INCREASE

  

New Lee County Sheriff Casey Goetz is asking Lee County Commissioners for an increase of over $2 million in the sheriff’s office’s budget.

Goetz, who was elected last year, presented his request to commissioners during their first budget workshop.

When asked by commissioners what the reason for the increase was, Goetz said the sheriff’s office’s work load and number of calls has doubled over the past year.  He added that he, investigators and deputies frequently have to work extra hours, in some cases seven days a week.

Goetz also said the sheriff’s office has had to prioritize calls based on their importance, and County Attorney Martin Placke noted that it also has to assist Lee County’s DPS office, which itself is not fully staffed as troopers are deployed to assist at the border.

Goetz said he asked in his budget request for what he felt was needed to properly run the sheriff’s office and that he knew he would not get the full request, but would work with what commissioners would allow.