by Sheriff Jeremy Shipley
It’s been a busy past 45 days as your Sheriff. I’ve attended the Sheriff’s Conference, the Legislative Conference, 2 TAHSR meetings, finalized our agency budget for this coming fiscal year, researched upcoming grant funding opportunities, been in communication with Texas Jail Standards, had discussions regarding our county mental health issues, and worked beside a group of great employees who have been working hard despite being shorthanded this entire year. This has been the most difficult year yet in my seven years as Sheriff, but we’re hopeful that with the State funding (SB 22) for law enforcement, that we will be receiving after the first of the year, we will have the funding to increase pay and add positions to provide the assistance we need at our agency. One thing is definitely certain, I’m proud of the continuous hard work our employees put in as they push through the long hours and having to work on some of their days off.
During our budget meetings Commissioners Court approved several upgrades that were needed for our office. The FCSO will be receiving an upgrade on our Jail Inmate management and tracking system, our video evidence management system, and our dispatch will be receiving a complete overhaul along with our Patrol Deputies being equipped with a CAD System in each vehicle that will allow for better, more effective and efficient, communication that will allow for better service and protection to our citizens, and better protection for our law enforcement and first responders.
We’ve come a long way from where we were 7 years ago thanks to receiving support from our Commissioners who have contributed what they could while still trying to keep our county taxes low. We still have a little ways to go, but hopefully the state funding will get us where we need to be.
And, as always, year after year, we appreciate the support and show of appreciation from our citizens of the county. The relationship we have with the public is second to none. The law enforcement profession is not easy. The fact we can clock-in to a county with the overwhelming support we have here, knowing everyday still has its difficulties, it’s a blessing that many in our profession do not have.
The FCSO says THANK YOU for supporting us.
I’ll end this quick update with this quote from Henry Ford –
“Coming together is the beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.”
