Sheriff Tells How He’d Use Prop. 172 Funds
Ventura County’s sheriff said he would hire 65 deputies, launch an anti-gang program and restore courthouse officer positions with his department’s share of $26 million a year in special sales tax funds if he is allowed to spend the money as desired.
Sheriff Larry Carpenter made his proposal at a meeting Wednesday with the county’s budget subcommittee, which is charged with devising a spending plan to distribute the funds generated by Proposition 172, the statewide half-cent sales tax initiative.
Under the spending plan discussed Wednesday, $12 million would be set aside to fund the County Jail, which is expected to open next year.
An additional $10 million would be divided among the Sheriff’s Department, the district attorney’s office and the public defender’s office. The rest of the money would be spent on special crime programs.
In future years, the funds would be split among the departments, with 65% going to the sheriff, 17% to the district attorney, 12% to corrections and 6% to the public defender.
The plan is scheduled to be considered by the Board of Supervisors on March 1.
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