Laserfiche WebLink
before. They have spent a considerable amount of manpower to <br />assist Fellsmere. He did not enjoy asking for help but his <br />resources are exhausted and he invited anyone who so desired to <br />audit his books. <br />Commissioner Macht asked whether the Sheriff is understaffed, <br />and Sheriff Wheeler responded that there are counties with a <br />greater ratio of sworn officers to population and some with a <br />lesser ratio, but he did not think we are understaffed. <br />Commissioner Adams understood why he did not want to take <br />officers from road patrol for specialty programs, and she did not <br />oppose the program. However, she could not support giving the <br />Sheriff these funds because that would leave the contingency fund <br />too low, and there may be other emergencies that come up. <br />Sheriff Wheeler understood, but he maintained that if we <br />always use that argument, we would never use the contingency funds. <br />Chairman Bird asked, and Sheriff Wheeler responded that <br />receipt of the grant is not definite. <br />Commissioner Macht asked whether the Sheriff could replace the <br />two school resource officers if the Commissioners vote in favor of <br />this request. <br />Discussion ensued, and Sheriff Wheeler explained that the <br />captain in charge of road patrol was not happy about pulling <br />someone else out of patrol division but everyone realized that the <br />school resource officers are very important. Sheriff Wheeler <br />intended to replace the school resource officer in north county. <br />The reason that officer was removed recently was because there were <br />fewer problems there. Sheriff Wheeler felt the funding for school <br />resource officers should come from the School Board budget and he <br />is working with School Superintendent Dr. Gary Norris and School <br />Board Member Stan Mayfield in this regard. <br />Commissioner Macht proposed, if the Board approved the <br />request, the Sheriff restore the school resource officers and use <br />existing cars instead of purchasing new vehicles. <br />Commissioner Adams supported that proposal, pointing out that <br />it requires the Sheriff to stretch a little bit because the reality <br />is we just do not have the money. <br />Sheriff Wheeler agreed to try to locate vehicles within the <br />department and to share vehicles within the COPE program itself <br />since we have some COPE officers on bicycles. <br />Discussion ensued regarding time constraints and Sheriff <br />Wheeler explained that the application for the grant must be <br />submitted within the next week. The Board members were concerned <br />about approving something without knowing the final figures. <br />Chairman Bird suggested that we approve the request if Sheriff <br />23 <br />NOV <br />BOOK 91 FnF 59 <br />