ORANGE COUNTY PERSPECTIVE : A Correct Call on Sheriff’s Plan

The Board of Supervisors made the right call when it rejected Sheriff Brad Gates’ proposal to turn 213-acre Rancho del Rio, seized in a drug raid five years ago, into a regional narcotics-training facility. While Gates assured the board that he could pay for its operation with tuition, private donations and money seized in drug raids, there was no guarantee that these sources would be sufficient. The board was acutely aware of this potential problem because a $4.67-million budget deficit in the Sheriff’s Department was covered only this week when the board approved a supplemental budget package.

Rather than risk the possibility that the drug-training facility might cause a drain on county funds that are vitally needed for other services--including other law enforcement programs--the board decided unanimously that the site should be sold. The property is valued at about $1 million, but it could be worth a lot more if a plan to rezone and subdivide the ranch goes through. Proceeds will go to law enforcement.

Board Chairman Don R. Roth told Gates that there are other sites in the county for a drug-training program, if one is that badly needed. And, as County Administrative Officer Ernie Schneider told the board, the county can’t finance every program the Sheriff’s Department wants.

The board has been more than generous in supporting Gates’ funding requests for his department, including $120,000 for a DNA analysis laboratory that will open soon. This time, the need for a narcotics-training facility was not compelling enough for the board to seriously consider accommodating him.