Pinellas Sheriff Jim Coats
PINELLAS COUNTY, Florida - Sheriff Jim Coats was up to the task of trimming another $14 million from his budget, but warned "no further reductions are operationally acceptable."
He also added that - in his planning - the commission should be ready for additional expenses incurred by hosting events affiliated with the 2012 Republican National Convention (RNC) in Tampa.
READ: Sheriff's memo and budget
Coats' FY12 budget trims 75 full-time positions, including 27 deputies on the street, 39 deputies in detention facilities, and 9 civilian employees. All reductions will be made through attrition.
The elimination of 75 jobs brings the department's four-year total to 616 positions.
"If we reduce our deputy positions any more," Coats said, "we're not only going to be compromising public safety, but the safety of our deputies."
Coats told the county it should also be prepared for expenses related to RNC events as well as campaign visits from presidential hopefuls in 2012. The federal government pays Tampa for RNC security, but not Pinellas County.
Noah Pransky