Columbiana sheriff in battle over deputies

The sheriff said he needs
additional funds for more deputies.

By D.A. WILKINSON

VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU

LISBON — Sheriff David Smith wanted to hire more deputies but says the Columbiana County commissioners aren’t cooperating.

“I was informed last week that the commissioners are not appropriating any money from the sales tax to this office,” Smith said Thursday.

That means, he said, there will be no additional funds from the general fund to recall or hire more deputies.

Smith said he didn’t have a dollar figure for what he needs to increase patrols.

But Jim Hoppel, the commissioners’ chairman, said the sheriff’s office is already receiving part of the new, 0.5 percent sales tax that went into effect in April.

This permanent tax will bring in about $4 million a year. The county also has a 1 percent sales tax that it is collecting for five years.

The county conservatively estimated it will receive about $2 million from the new sales tax this year. That revenue was spread among different departments, including Smith’s, early this year.

“I explained all that to him [Wednesday],” Hoppel said of the sheriff.

The revenue from the 0.5 percent sales tax may exceed the $2 million estimate this year. In 2008, the tax’s revenue should reach the full $4 million.

When asked if some of that money would go to the sheriff’s office, Hoppel said, “I would hope so.”

Smith said that his office is funded through fees it collects for various activities and services.

The sheriff recently recalled a female deputy who had been laid off. She was brought back when another deputy left the department in 2006.

County drug problems

His department’s budget issue is at the forefront as the county’s drug problem continues to grow.

Last week, Smith held a press conference to announce a new raid to arrest drug offenders. The county in early 2006 also had a major roundup after months of investigation. About 40 people were sought in each of the raids.

“There are more drug sales on the corner square,” Smith said.

The sheriff added that his department maintains two deputies on both the 4 p.m. to midnight and the midnight to 8 a.m. shifts. “That’s for 532 square miles” of patrolling, he said.

The lack of money also affects the department’s fleet. Smith said his office can’t afford to replace four or five cruisers with high mileage each year. The cruisers cost about $27,000 each.

wilkinson@vindy.com