County may add more deputies

More deputies may be patrolling Rock County in 2016 if commissioners decide to include the additional monies in next year’s final budget.
The discussion will take place during the county’s Truth-in-Taxation hearing at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1. The hearing allows the public to learn where tax dollars will be spent next year.
The meeting will take place in the commissioners’ room at the Rock County Courthouse.
In October commissioners approved a maximum levy increase of 3.88 percent. All but $105,000 of the additional $194,145 generated has been designated to specific departments. The $105,000 is meant for reserves.
An additional deputy is estimated to cost between $80,000 and $100,000.
Sheriff Evan Verbrugge originally requested an additional $30,000 for expenses involved in implementing a computer-aided dispatch system in each of the squad cars. The computers would allow officers to complete tasks normally done at the office. Verbrugge indicated that he would prefer adding additional staff instead of the CAD system.
If approved, the two additional officers would increase the number of deputies to 12 to provide 24/7 coverage in Rock County.
Also at the Dec. 1 meeting, Verbrugge will present commissioners with more information including current overtime costs, schedules of both full- and part-time deputies and how the assigned shift schedule is affected when a deputy cannot work an assigned shift.
Commissioners will also look at the department’s part-time officers. Currently there are three part-time positions with one position open.