9 Garland County JPs pledge public safety tax in fall

HOT SPRINGS — Nine of the 13 justices of the peace on the Garland County Quorum Court pledged Monday to levy 1 mill for public safety in November, giving the county assurance to begin filling 16 positions officials said will reduce crime and provide deputies with a safer work environment.

If the six Republicans and three Democrats honor their commitment when the Quorum Court levies taxes for the county, cities and schools in November, the 1 mill will be listed on 2024 property tax bills that go out next February.

One mill, or one-tenth of 1%, is projected to raise between $2.3 million to $2.6 million annually. The county said the mill would add $20 of tax to a $100,000 property.

Information presented to justices of the peace in April listed a $2.35 million cost to fund and equip the new positions. The cost ranged from $1.44 million next year to $1.55 million in 2028 when depreciating capital expenses that included eight new patrol vehicles and two 911 dispatch stations over five years.

County Judge Darryl Mahoney has said a commitment from the Quorum Court would give him the assurance to use nonrecurring federal pandemic relief funds to begin filling the new positions this summer. They include 10 deputies, eight for patrol and two investigators.

The new pay structure the Quorum Court approved for patrol and detention deputies last year, combined with a 7% cost-of-living adjustment, raised starting deputy pay to $51,114. The raises increased starting patrol pay by 20% and detention pay by 29% compared to what was budgeted in 2023.

The sheriff’s office’s $7.3 million general fund-supported budget included 58 sworn officer positions, about 40 of which are classified as patrol deputies. The 0.375% sales tax voters approved more than a decade ago funds the jail’s $11.89 million budget.

Four to six deputies patrol the 700 square miles of the county’s unincorporated area. The sheriff’s office has said the additional personnel would add two deputies per 12-hour shift, allowing timelier responses and multiple deputies to respond to calls of a violent or dangerous nature.

The sheriff’s office said it responded to more than 40,000 calls for service last year. It classified 162 as major incidents, a 14% increase from 2022.

“The last thing I want to do is ask for a tax, but we have got to the point where we don’t have any choice,” Sheriff Mike McCormick told justices of the peace on Monday.