EL PASO, Texas – (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 El Paso County commissioners are moving forward with plans to bring in an independent, outside review of the El Paso County Sheriff\u2019s Office as the agency deals with a growing multimillion-dollar budget deficit.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Sheriff Oscar Ugarte said he supports the assessment and believes it will help document what the office needs.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m grateful because they approved to fund an assessment, which is very important,\u201d Ugarte said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
County estimates put the current shortfall at $7.6 million as of Oct. 14. <\/p>\n
RELATED: Sheriff\u2019s office deficit in El Paso County budget rises to $7.6 million, staff says<\/a><\/p>\n Ugarte has pointed to overtime and short staffing, especially at the county\u2019s two jails, as reasons for the deficit. <\/p>\n County documents also show salary and benefits costs have driven the number up.<\/p>\n The item set for discussion Monday does not select the agency that would conduct the review. <\/p>\n Instead, it would allow the county\u2019s purchasing department to put out a request for proposals.<\/p>\n The review would focus on the sheriff\u2019s office operations, staffing and the overall health of the organization. <\/p>\n Ugarte said he expects the assessment will help determine staffing needs at the county\u2019s facilities.<\/p>\n \u201cThe 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,\u201d Ugarte said.<\/p>\n \u201cI just believe the staffing tables are not adequate to run these facilities.\u201d<\/p>\n The discussion and possible action to start the process is set to take place Monday morning.<\/p>\n RELATED: Community Conversations: Sheriff Ugarte speaks on the projected $6M budget shortfall<\/a><\/p>\n