Hernando County commissioners held a workshop June 6 to discuss the proposed budget options for the 2017-2018 fiscal year, which include an increase in funding for the Sheriff's Office.

  • Sheriff Al Nienhuis asking for funds for 10 new deputies
  • Requests also include one school resource officer at Winding Waters
  • In total, Nienhuis asking for $452,000

For the Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis, an increase in his budget would make a world of a difference. This past year, they received no additional funds. But this upcoming year might be different.

Nienhuis said his budget proposal for this upcoming fiscal year includes some much needed additions to the department.

"Over the last year we've done a lot of research and found out we're significantly below when adjusted for population the number of deputies in similar Sheriff's offices or police departments, so we really need to add some people," Nienhuis explained.

Specifically, he's asking for funds to hire 10 new deputies and one school resource officer at Winding Waters in Weeki Wachee. That's much less than the 140 he said they need.

He said they also need to replace a patrol vessel for the marine unit. In total, he's asking for $452,000 to meet those needs. Nienhuis also said they have been able to cut their operating costs for next year by about $105,000.

"My budget increase is less than five percent, so I would think that we're being very, very ultra-conservative," Sheriff Nienhuis added.

Last year, however, he wasn't given any budget increases, and had to appeal to the governor and cabinet. He was able to find a resolution with the commission before state leaders had to intervene.

This year, commissioners are hopeful the Sheriff's Office and other departments will get the funding they need.

"Last year was not a good year financially," said commissioner Wayne Dukes. "We cut our own budget for the commission by $6 million. But what we also did was a few years back we reduced the impact fees for new construction to zero in Hernando County, and last year we saw a huge growth in businesses."

Dukes said because of that growth they are seeing about a seven percent increase in taxable revenue ,which he said can then be divided out between departments.

"I'm hoping that everyone walks away from this budget on a positive note, because that's our goal," Dukes explained.

Commissioners will vote on next year's budget in September.