News Summary

The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office raised concerns over a multi-million dollar budget shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year. Sheriff Marty Sawyer stated that the proposed budget does not meet critical operational needs, including essential equipment and staffing. A recent discussion highlighted urgent funding requests for technology, vehicles, and personnel to maintain law enforcement effectiveness. The County Council is in the process of revising the budget as discussions continue on how to address these pressing needs amid limited resources.

Aiken, South Carolina – The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office has raised significant concerns regarding a budget shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year of 2025-2026, as highlighted in a recent council meeting. Sheriff Marty Sawyer, along with his command staff, emphasized that the proposed budget presented by County Administrator Brian Sanders on May 6 does not sufficiently meet the critical operational needs of the Sheriff’s Office.

Recent discussions on the budget took place on May 20, where the Sheriff’s Office outlined an estimated shortfall of several million dollars in their funding. The current budget proposal falls short in addressing essential needs mandated by state law, federal law, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. Sheriff Sawyer pointed out that many of these requirements are crucial for maintaining the safety and efficacy of law enforcement within the county.

In the technology sector, the Sheriff’s Office had requested $3,446,631, but the allocated budget only accounts for $1 million. This significant gap raises pressing concerns about the replacement of equipment, particularly body cameras, in-car cameras, and Tasers, which are described as being in urgent need of replacement. Existing equipment is now beyond critical, putting both deputies and the community at risk.

Additionally, mobile data terminals utilized by the Sheriff’s Office are reportedly out of support and warranty, adding to the urgency for budget revisions. The operational needs for law enforcement have also been inadequately addressed, with the Sheriff’s Office requesting $1,752,234 for essential equipment and resources, yet only $94,500 has been proposed in the budget.

Among the pressing requests is a significant funding plea for $850,000 for the purchase or leasing of new vehicles and light trucks, as the current fleet struggles to keep pace with operational demands. Furthermore, the Sheriff’s Office has requested $569,376 to fund the hiring of a general counsel, a recruiter, and two crime scene deputies to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness.

The technical services division also made a request totaling $951,649, yet only $839,000 has been allocated in the proposed budget. Meanwhile, the detention center’s critical needs have been estimated at $1,862,136, with the proposed budget offering $1,781,000—highlighting the ongoing struggle to meet the operational necessities of the facilities.

County Council Chairman Gary Bunker recognized the valid requests put forth by the Sheriff’s Office but noted that multiple other county departments also face significant financial needs. This ongoing discussion indicates the complexity and challenges involved in meeting the diverse requirements of county operations amid limited financial resources.

The Aiken County Council is currently in the process of revising the proposed budget, which must undergo three readings in total before it can receive final approval ahead of the new fiscal year commencing on July 1. The urgency of these discussions is critical, as upcoming budget decisions will directly impact law enforcement capabilities and the overall safety of the Aiken County community.

During the budget work session, several elected and appointed officials were in attendance, including Coroner Darryl Ables and Register of Deeds Julie Stutts, which reflects the collaborative approach the county is taking in evaluating budgetary needs.

As the council continues to deliberate, the focus remains on finding a balanced solution that adequately addresses the pressing needs of the Sheriff’s Office while also considering the requirements of other county departments.

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Aiken County Sheriff’s Office Faces Significant Budget Shortfall

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Author: hereaiken