A new sheriff, a new look.
Green County's getting both.
When sheriff-elect Jim Arnott assumes the office new year's day, the changes he'll bring seem largely cosmetic- at least so far.
We talked to Arnott before a news conference he held Monday afternoon; he says he won't have any new funds to work with, so he'll rearrange the funds he has.
Change is coming, and while you'll probably see it, you may not notice it.
“If we lighten the colors of the badge it reflects better."
Along with new silver badges and new silver logos on vehicles the Greene County Sheriff's Department is getting a new name- it’s becoming an office.
“The position of sheriff is elected and it's the office of the sheriff. That's what the deputies represent so I felt it more appropriate to name it sheriff's office,” explains Arnott.
In addition, he will eliminate the now-vacant jail director position and the chief deputy position
They’ll be replaced with two majors, the next two in charge under the sheriff .
He says the move saves around $20,000, a significant amount when every buck counts.
Explains Greene County Commissioner Harold Bengsch, “The last report we have is a 22% decrease” in the county’s sales tax revenue this October compared to last.
Bengsch says next year's budget will be tight.
“We did get notice from the commission that the additional positions we asked for will not be granted,” Arnott tells KSPR.
He had hoped for 37 new correctional officers and 15 new deputies in 2009, but instead he's making cheap changes.
The new badges cost less than refinishing the old ones and a grant will pay for the logos.
“We’ve balanced our budget each year, the last two years, and we'll balance it again this year." (21:44)
Arnott says his most significant change will be allowing employees to move laterally between divisions without taking a promotion or demotion to perform different duties.
The county's budget will be set by the end of January; last year the sheriff's department was allocated about $16 million.