July 10, 2006 Sheriff's uniforms---how to save money

Several committees meet today---all have a short agenda.

Today, the Finance Committee will be looking at how Sheriff's uniforms are purchased.

As I understand it, the county currently writes a payroll check to each deputy, and the deputy is supposed to go out and buy his/her uniform(s).

The county has to deduct taxes from the gross amount of the check and the deputy gets what is left to buy his/her uniform.

Writing a check means that the full amount of the check (gross) doesn't get spent on uniforms.

A check that starts out as $400 (gross) may end up being $350 or less after all the deductions are made.

The money that is lost to taxes this way doesn't buy a single uniform.

And on top of what is lost by the employee to taxes, the county also loses by having to match the employee's social security and other deductions.

I have mentioned this loss of money and have proposed a solution several times in the past, but no one has listened. We are losing precious uniform dollars by not handling this in a non-taxable way.

After I brought it up again during the budget process this year, it was finally referred to Finance for further consideration.

I hope the committee will give consideration to my oft-repeated proposal today. The money that is currently paid out by the deputies and by the county in taxes doesn't buy a single uniform.

And there is a very simple way to avoid this waste with no hassle for anyone.

I'll keep you posted...