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RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. () — Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco is criticizing the Riverside County Board of Supervisors over funding levels in the county’s latest budget, warning that the department could soon be forced to cut more than 600 positions.
“I’ve told them all along that this day was coming because they’re kicking this can down the road, and they just don’t care,” Bianco told Eyewitness News.
Bianco said he needs more than $150 million in additional funding to avoid making cuts. The Board of Supervisors did not reduce the sheriff’s department budget, but actually increased it by about $25 million, according to information presented during the dispute.
Still, Bianco says it isn’t enough, and he says the shortfall could have significant staffing consequences.
“They know that I am extremely short-staffed,” Bianco said. “They know for a fact that I am shorted $125 million, and that equates to 622 deputy sheriff positions. And it’s just simple math.”
In response, Riverside County Executive Officer Jeff Van Wagenen released a statement explaining the county’s budget decisions.
“During the budget hearing, several departments, including the Sheriff’s Department, presented requests for additional funding to support current staffing levels,” Van Wagenen said, in part. “Similar concerns were raised throughout the budget development process by multiple public safety, health, and human services departments. These requests reflected legitimate operational pressures. However, the cumulative cost of those requests significantly exceeded the discretionary revenue available to support them. The Board therefore had to balance competing priorities within finite resources while preserving the County’s long-term financial health.”
Van Wagenen said during the budget hearings, the Board of Supervisors signaled their intent to manage fiscal pressures while avoiding widespread layoffs and significant service disruption.
“They’re being extremely dishonest. They know exactly what the consequences of this budget was,” Bianco said.
According to Bianco, any staffing reductions would not be distributed evenly across the county. Contract cities, including Moreno Valley, Lake Elsinore and Temecula, would remain fully funded. He said less-populated, unincorporated areas would bear the impact of any cuts.
Bianco outlined how he plans to address the staffing issue. He said that of the roughly 600 positions he believes need to be cut, he only plans to cut about 200 of them through attrition, including retirements and transfers.
The sheriff indicated he intends to continue paying the remaining deputies, even if doing so results in the department exceeding its budget.
“So, you’re going to spend that money anyway?” 7 Reporter Rob McMillan asked.
“I am,” Bianco replied.
“And so what happens then? Because you’re going to go over budget?” McMillan asked.
“I am,” Bianco replied with a shrug.
The dispute leaves unresolved questions about how the sheriff’s department and county officials will address staffing and budget concerns moving forward.
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