Escambia County's 2023 $622.9 million budget includes new funding deal with sheriff

Escambia County commissioners are working on a new three-year funding agreement with the Sheriff's Office as part of its 2023 budget.

Commissioners discussed the funding arrangement during budget workshops this week where commissioners reviewed the $622.9 million budget for the upcoming year.

This year's budget is $54.7 million more than the previous year's budget as nearly every department saw increased costs over the previous year's budget.

Under the new budget, tax rates will remain the same for county taxpayers. Despite tax rates holding steady, the county saw nearly a 14% increase in property tax revenue thanks to the booming real estate market.

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Commissioners had considered increasing the fire protection fee but ultimately decided to fund the fire department's increased budget out of the general fund, at least for 2023.

In the new budget, the Escambia County Fire Rescue Department's budget is set at $25.2 million, a $2.6 million increase over the previous year.

In the 2018 budget, the Sheriff's Office and the County Commission disagreed over the level of funding, with the dispute reaching the governor's office before the two sides settled. Since then, county officials have worked out a multi-year funding arrangement to avoid future conflict.

Escambia County Finance Director Stephan Hall told the commission Wednesday that the 2023 budget includes the first year of a three-year deal with Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons' office.

Commission Chairman Jeff Bergosh said a lot of work had gone into hammering out the details of the funding plan during several negotiation meetings with him, Simmons and staff members from both offices.

"It's a good deal for us," Bergosh said. "It's a good deal for the sheriff, and most importantly for the citizens — no increase to the MSTU and no increase to the ad valorem tax rate."

Under the first year of the deal, the sheriff's budget will increase from $71.9 million to $77.4 million — an increase of $5.5 million.

Other constitutional offices, such as the property appraiser, tax collector and supervisor of elections, requested budget increases totaling $2.4 million.

Sheriff's Office Chief Financial Officer Henrique Dias said since the deal was negotiated, the Sheriff's Office has found out its health insurance costs will increase by 40%.

"The main issue is going to be year two and three," Dias said. "Year one, which is next year, we should be in good shape."

The commission is set to vote on the three-year agreement Tuesday.

Commissioner Robert Bender suggested the county change the agreement to increase the sheriff's reserve funds for the sheriff.

Other commissioners were more hesitant and said the county has funds in its reserve if the Sheriff's Office needs them.

Commissioner Steven Barry and Bergosh both said the relationship between the commission and the Sheriff's Office is in a much better place than it was in 2018.

"If there's something unexpected, we're going to be there," Bergosh said. "We're not just going to say talk to the hand, and beat you over the head with the interlocal (agreement)."

The full budget is available to review on Escambia County's website MyEscambia.com.

The commission will hold final votes to pass the budget in September, and the budget goes into effect Oct. 1.

Jim Little can be reached at jwlittle@pnj.com and 850-208-9827.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Escambia County's 2023 budget includes new funding deal with sheriff