TRENTON, NC — On Monday, the Jones County Board of Commissioners gathered to examine the proposed fiscal year 2024-2025 budget, marked by a contentious $100,000 reduction in the sheriff's department budget. The session witnessed an unusually large turnout, underscoring the community's amplified concern regarding the budgetary discussions. Following remarks by Sheriff Matt Wineman and a public hearing, the commissioners ratified the 2024-2025 budget, endorsing the cuts to the sheriff’s department.

The proposed budget for the sheriff's department stood at $2,605,387, marking an increase of $348,880 from the previous year. Over the last four years, the sheriff's budget has seen a total increase of $1,284,481. Despite these increases, the board noted an average of $89,020 in unspent funds annually over the past three fiscal years, prompting the proposed $100,000 cut. These funds were to be reallocated to Jones County Public Schools.

Sheriff Wineman voiced his concerns about the budget cut, citing significant challenges due to underfunding and staff shortages. "Some of my years where I'm under budget is because I was short staffed. Because we had a mass exodus from my office because we didn't pay enough money," Wineman explained. "I lost 6-7. I'd have to go through the names to get a good accurate count but I think I lost 6 deputies."

He highlighted the competitive salaries offered by neighboring counties as a major factor in losing staff. "I don't lose people for $2,000-$5,000. I lose them for 15-20 percent of their salary," he added.

Wineman expressed his surprise at the budget cut, particularly because it was the first year he hadn't presented his budget personally. "So was it a shock to me when I got told by Kyle [Smith, County Manager] that $100,000 had been cut from my budget and my budget alone? Yes, it did. Why? Because it was the first year that I haven't presented my budget," he said.

The decision to reallocate funds sparked considerable debate among the commissioners and the public. Vice-Chair Charlie Dunn Jr. emphasized the board’s responsibility to balance the county’s needs. "Our duty is to ensure that all departments function effectively within the county's budget constraints," Dunn said. "The reallocation aims to address critical needs in our public schools without compromising public safety."

Public comments at the meeting were predominantly in favor of maintaining the current funding for the Sheriff's Department. Annette McDaniel, a resident, voiced her concerns, saying, "Cutting the budget of our law enforcement is not the answer. We need to ensure they have the resources to keep our community safe."

Layla Groom, an investigator with the Sheriff’s Office, highlighted the department’s growing challenges. "We are seeing a rise in child pornography and sex crimes," Groom said. "That's not something that one investigator can handle. Those are scenes that have to be investigated. So when you see six or eight people at one house, it's not because we're just lollygagging. It's a serious incident.”

Field Moore, another resident, drew an analogy to farming to illustrate his point. "It's like taking fertilizer away from crops and expecting them to yield the same harvest," Moore said. "Our Sheriff’s Department needs full funding to be effective."

Cheryl Heath, a long-time advocate for local law enforcement, expressed her disappointment with the proposed cuts. "We've worked hard to improve our county’s safety, and this decision feels like a step backward," Heath remarked.

Sheriff Wineman also addressed the critical need for adequate funding to maintain department operations and personnel. "Our officers are already stretched thin," he said. "Further cuts will make it difficult to retain staff and respond promptly to emergencies."

Watch the full Jones County Commissioners meeting below: