Statement Release- Wise County Board of Supervisors

Wise County Board of Supervisors has been made aware of a post by the Wise County and City of Norton Sheriff regarding budget cut discussions. The Board fully supports all Public Safety, LEO, Fire and EMS. We encourage all citizens to attend Board meetings, call with questions, and review available budget information to ensure they have accurate and complete details.

It is important to clarify the Board of Supervisors does not have the authority to direct the Sheriff or his staff in operational decisions, including personnel assignments or programs such as School Resource Officers (SROs).

The Board has asked the Sheriff to evaluate his department for potential efficiencies and cost reductions.  The Sheriff’s Office total approved FY 26 budget is $11.6 Million. The County tax dollars are providing approximately $4.15 Million to the salaries and fringe benefits to the Sheriff’s Office and approximately another $2.26 Million to the operations of the department for a total contribution of $6.41 Million.

The Virginia Compensation Board has approved 51 positions for the Wise County Sheriff’s Office based on County population. The Sheriff’s Office employs 94 individuals. While the Sheriff’s Office is proactive in securing grant funding for additional positions, most of the grant funded positions require County match, some have a significant match which is funded by taxpayer dollars.

In addition, the County also funds multiple Sheriff’s positions 100% and provides supplemental pay to nearly all compensation board approved employees and grant funded positions. These supplemental monies total approximately $500,000 annually.

The SRO program is an important program as are all of the Sheriff programs and employees. In recent discussions, the Board has suggested several potential cost saving measures for consideration of the Sheriff, including suggestions of more efficient staffing of Compensation Board funded personnel and management of resources. However, as a constitutional officer, the Sheriff has sole authority over how his budget is allocated, including staffing, assignment, equipment, training and expenditures.

Wise County Board of Supervisors respectfully requests the Sheriff consider the County’s and county taxpayers’ current financial constraints and conduct a comprehensive review of staffing levels and expenditures across all divisions and departments, including vehicles, travel, equipment and non-essential and non-reimbursed overtime. The decision regarding SRO staffing rests solely with the Sheriff.

Wise County is facing serious budget challenges and remains committed to reviewing all departments to identify necessary reductions. Wise County has supported the SRO program for many years and hopes to continue.

Wise County Board of Supervisors has encouraged the Wise County School Board to become more involved and assist in funding SROs if grants are not received.

Please email questions, come to the Board meeting, call and discuss your concerns as many of the post’s responses are inaccurate and not factual. Anyone interested in information regarding the County budget and departmental budgets, and county expenses can email or check the County website.

J.H. Rivers, Chairman

Wise County Board of Supervisors