EL PASO, Texas – (KFOX14/CBS4) — El Paso County commissioners are moving forward with plans to bring in an independent, outside review of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office as the agency deals with a growing multimillion-dollar budget deficit.

Commissioners have already approved funding for an assessment and are now preparing to take the next step: authorizing a request for proposals so outside agencies can submit bids to conduct the review.

Sheriff Oscar Ugarte said he supports the assessment and believes it will help document what the office needs.

“I’m grateful because they approved to fund an assessment, which is very important,” Ugarte said.

“I believe that the assessment will show that the sheriff’s office is short-funded and short-staffed and hopefully from that we can develop a plan.”

County estimates put the current shortfall at $7.6 million as of Oct. 14.

RELATED: Sheriff’s office deficit in El Paso County budget rises to $7.6 million, staff says

Ugarte has pointed to overtime and short staffing, especially at the county’s two jails, as reasons for the deficit.

County documents also show salary and benefits costs have driven the number up.

The item set for discussion Monday does not select the agency that would conduct the review.

Instead, it would allow the county’s purchasing department to put out a request for proposals.

The review would focus on the sheriff’s office operations, staffing and the overall health of the organization.

Ugarte said he expects the assessment will help determine staffing needs at the county’s facilities.

“The assessment will show exactly what are the number of officers that are needed to properly run this facility, and it’s going to be an independent assessment,” Ugarte said.

“I just believe the staffing tables are not adequate to run these facilities.”

The discussion and possible action to start the process is set to take place Monday morning.

RELATED: Community Conversations: Sheriff Ugarte speaks on the projected $6M budget shortfall

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