October 7, 2010 in City

Richard, Knezovich spar over budgeting

Sheriff’s Office cuts exacerbate tension with county

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A 2  ½-hour Sheriff’s Office budget meeting Tuesday produced more heat than light.

Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich and County Commission Chairman Mark Richard each accused the other of “insulting” comments.

Little progress was apparent as county commissioners and sheriff’s officials reviewed a 2011 “target” budget that would require about $322,000 in cuts – on top of the loss of a $731,000 “Band-Aid.”

Richard, who has worked closely with Knezovich on plans for a new jail, was offended by what he said were public comments in which the sheriff accused commissioners of shortchanging law enforcement.

The two men sparred over how to assign percentages to cuts in this year’s budget and those pending for next year.

“You’re saying the same thing,” Chief Executive Officer Marshall Farnell told them.

The undisputed fact was that commissioners broke standard policy and allowed Knezovich to roll $731,000 in unspent money from his 2009 budget to alleviate reductions in his current budget.

Knezovich’s complained that the Band-Aid merely shifted his pain to next year’s budget, when an eight-officer grant will expire and no more carry-over money will be available.

“We could have not done that (rollover),” Farnell said.

“I thought that was a good thing,” Richard said.

“It was a good thing,” Knezovich said.

“So why am I getting hammered for it?” Richard demanded.

Knezovich protested that he “saved that money,” but Richard said other departments also underspent their 2009 budgets and none of them got to keep the savings.

“We said, ‘No, we can’t afford it,’ ” Richard said. “But we did it with you because you’re a priority, so to hear that somehow you think that you’re not a priority in our mind is insulting.”

Knezovich countered that Richard’s remark was “insulting.” The bottom line, he said, is that he will lose seven positions that were spared this year, plus five more.

“My rollover is being cut out of my budget this year,” Knezovich said.

“Correct, unless we address some of it,” Richard said.

Richard said he is willing to consider drawing down the county’s reserves to mitigate the Sheriff’s Office cuts.

However, Richard said, he found it “very difficult … to continue to step forward to try to solve these problems when what I’m hearing in the community is that either you or your staff don’t think the board knows how to prioritize a budget.”

Eight comments on this story so far. Add yours!

• 

  bszottlinger on October 07 at 6:10 a.m.

  “However, Richard said, he found it “very difficult … to continue to step forward to try to solve these problems when what I’m hearing in the community is that either you or your staff don’t think the board knows how to prioritize a budget.””

  Here is some news for you Mr. Richard! Knezovich and his staff aren’t the only ones.

• 

  hawken on October 07 at 7:21 a.m.

  County commissioners are correct, reasonable and being responsible.

  Taxpayers don’t have bottomless pockets, especially in times of historic unemployment that shows no sign of improving in the near future.

  At the same time, we have others whom want to raise taxes with new, state income tax… and others whom want to raise property taxes by establishing a supplemental public school program wherein our tax dollars would be turned over to “community based groups” to help alleviate the drop out rate of high school students. The public schools have failed in this sense…. but, others think the fix is “uncertified” teachers being replaced with “community based groups.”

  We also have a group that wants to increase taxes on some food, candy and beverage items… that’s an inconsistent, convoluted proposal,,, which hurts the low income the most.

  Some get it, some don’t…. It is unwise and punitive to raise taxes in the middle of a significant recession (some argue depression)… that shows no signs of releasing it’s grip soon.

• 

  liarsinnews on October 07 at 7:22 a.m.

  Hey there Mr. Richard, don`t forget that the public remembers you and your side kick Mielke, when together you purchased the racetrack. Priorities? I don`t think so.

• 

  sowinso on October 07 at 7:30 a.m.

  Hear, hear, bszottlinger.

  Mr. Richard, a man with principles would know what to do no matter what someone said about him. After all, Mr. Richard, it’s not about you, it’s about what’s right for the community.

  At least you admit what we all knew: that you don’t want to do the right thing unless people say nice things about you. Well, Mr. Richard, you have nice hair.

  Now, get to work!

• 

  MrDavis on October 07 at 9:03 a.m.

  “Richard said he is willing to consider drawing down the county’s reserves to mitigate the Sheriff’s Office cuts.”

  How about drawing down some of that racetrack money? It’s clear that Mr. Richards prioritizes public safety below his pet projects, and refuses (or can’t) provide a reasonable explanation.

• 

  horse_feathers on October 07 at 9:48 a.m.

  Less Spokane County and City law enforcement might bring down the homocide rate in the county, this could be a good thing.

• 

  misjustice on October 07 at 3:35 p.m.

  “…what I’m hearing in the community is that either you or your staff don’t think the board knows how to prioritize a budget.”

  I don’t think that the “board” knows how to prioritize a budget that is in the best interest of the county. The boondoggle, known as the Racetrack, is a perfect example of spending money that is not a priority for the majority of the county’s residents. And yet, there seems to be unlimited funds for that.

• 

  Dazzeetrader11 on October 08 at 12:46 a.m.

  Ozzie has spend like no sheriff in the history of Spokane Co. As a matter of principle he does need to be reigned in. He think that just because he’s elected ( just like each of the Commissioners) he has the right o act any way he wants. He wants to build an empire out on the west plains. Does spokane need his version? Nope. Does Spokane need a County woned racetrack? Nope.

  Beoth gooofy for different reasons. Difference solutions too. On this topic though, Ozzie needs to forget a bit of his money…..since it isn’t HIS. He thinks it is….well it’s the public money and he should be congradulated for saving some money ( $3/4 million) but should be allowed to act graciously and returnit. If he cannot do that, the commissioners should mandate it back. Ozzie’s got the private fiefdom idea. He forgets who he works for. As well as his office has performed, he should be glad to save his job and give that money back to the public, cut his budget and count himself lucky that he has a job.