Amador County – The Sutter Creek City Council on Monday heard a report from Amador County Sheriff Martin Ryan that taking over Sutter Creek’s jurisdiction would cost at least $1.4 million to start and at least $980,000 annually to run. Ryan gave the city council 2 options, with Option 1 being to create a “beat” that would cover the 1.7 square miles of the city. He said around-the-clock law enforcement coverage would require a sergeant and 6 deputies, and would cost $983,000 a year to operate, not including a “startup” cost of $426,000, which would include hiring, equipment and training. Ryan said Option 2 would be for the sheriff’s office to “act as the police department” in Sutter Creek. That would cost $1.3 million annually, plus a $547,000 initial startup cost. Option 2 would include the 6 deputies and a sergeant, with a lieutenant to act as chief, plus an office and evidence clerk. In either scenario, Ryan said, “the officers would have to become sheriff’s deputies,” with full screening as done by the department with all of its hiring. He compared operating costs to Sutter Creek Police Department’s 2008-2009 budget of just over $900,000. Undersheriff Jim Wegner further broke down startup costs, saying background checks for 6 deputies would cost $5,600; medical examinations would cost $4,600; and physicals would cost $2,800. He said those were the costs if all applicants pass, and “we never have that happen.” He said outfitting and purchasing 3 vehicles would cost $165,000, and a minimum of 3 months’ training for 7 employees would cost $160,000. Wegner said the training is required because “if we have an employee, we want them to be successful.” Councilman Pat Crosby said he still wanted to try to get services similar to what the sheriff gives in Pine Grove, Plymouth or Amador City, at comparable costs. Ryan said they did not compare, because the volume of work was greater in Sutter Creek than in Plymouth. He said Plymouth has 1 car patrolling its area in a 163-square-mile “beat,” while in Pine Grove, 1 car patrols 240 square miles. Crosby suggested having a “constable” that patrols Sutter Creek, and answers to the sheriff. Ryan said his estimates were based on offering Sutter Creek the same coverage it has now, and it was his “last, best, final offer.” Ryan said furthermore, if it was acceptable to the city, he would still want to build up his own force, which is now 23 percent down in his patrol deputies. He said “you’re probably looking at a good year out.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.-
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Amador County – The Sutter Creek City Council on Monday heard a report from Amador County Sheriff Martin Ryan that taking over Sutter Creek’s jurisdiction would cost at least $1.4 million to start and at least $980,000 annually to run. Ryan gave the city council 2 options, with Option 1 being to create a “beat” that would cover the 1.7 square miles of the city. He said around-the-clock law enforcement coverage would require a sergeant and 6 deputies, and would cost $983,000 a year to operate, not including a “startup” cost of $426,000, which would include hiring, equipment and training. Ryan said Option 2 would be for the sheriff’s office to “act as the police department” in Sutter Creek. That would cost $1.3 million annually, plus a $547,000 initial startup cost. Option 2 would include the 6 deputies and a sergeant, with a lieutenant to act as chief, plus an office and evidence clerk. In either scenario, Ryan said, “the officers would have to become sheriff’s deputies,” with full screening as done by the department with all of its hiring. He compared operating costs to Sutter Creek Police Department’s 2008-2009 budget of just over $900,000. Undersheriff Jim Wegner further broke down startup costs, saying background checks for 6 deputies would cost $5,600; medical examinations would cost $4,600; and physicals would cost $2,800. He said those were the costs if all applicants pass, and “we never have that happen.” He said outfitting and purchasing 3 vehicles would cost $165,000, and a minimum of 3 months’ training for 7 employees would cost $160,000. Wegner said the training is required because “if we have an employee, we want them to be successful.” Councilman Pat Crosby said he still wanted to try to get services similar to what the sheriff gives in Pine Grove, Plymouth or Amador City, at comparable costs. Ryan said they did not compare, because the volume of work was greater in Sutter Creek than in Plymouth. He said Plymouth has 1 car patrolling its area in a 163-square-mile “beat,” while in Pine Grove, 1 car patrols 240 square miles. Crosby suggested having a “constable” that patrols Sutter Creek, and answers to the sheriff. Ryan said his estimates were based on offering Sutter Creek the same coverage it has now, and it was his “last, best, final offer.” Ryan said furthermore, if it was acceptable to the city, he would still want to build up his own force, which is now 23 percent down in his patrol deputies. He said “you’re probably looking at a good year out.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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