Wednesday, April 14, 2004
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Wednesday, April 14, 2004 |
| County, sheriff dispute use of funds By JOHN THOMPSON and By JOHN MUNFORD The Fayette County Sheriff’s Department has received $792,000 in the past three years in money and equipment seized from drug dealers on federal raids, according to records obtained from the department. That money has saved taxpayers from purchasing certain types of equipment and training, said Sheriff Randall Johnson. But the Fayette County Commission wants control of how that money’s spent, the sheriff says, and that’s not going to happen. In a recent letter to the sheriff, the commission said it wanted all the department’s drug funds run through the county’s finance office. Commission Chairman Greg Dunn sees it in a different way, though. “We’re not trying to tell them how to do law enforcement. We just want them to follow the correct procedures. He knows we can’t spend that money,” he said. The chairman added he would just like to know where the money is being spent. Johnson said he doesn’t understand why the county commission is upset with how he spends the drug funds, which is used to buy undercover vehicles, surveillance equipment and other equipment including training. Johnson said Dunn put the department at risk of losing over $340,000 in federal drug seizure funds last year by not signing a document required by the federal government. Ultimately, the document was signed by commission vice-chair Linda Wells. Dunn said he didn’t sign the document because the sheriff’s department refused to provide him with documentation as to what was purchased with the money. “I refused to sign anything because the sheriff refused to show me the records,” Dunn said. “... We are the first level of oversight for the federal government in this program.” The chairman said two different forms are required; an auditing form and a compliance form. The drug seizure fund was audited recently by the county’s top finance officer, Mark Pulliam, Dunn said. “The sheriff goes out and gets the drug busts and we praise him and are thankful for that,” Dunn said. “But right now we don’t have a clue what they’re purchasing with that money.” Johnson sees it differently. “The feds check us yearly to make sure we’re following the guidelines,” the sheriff said. “We’re clearly following all of them.” Dunn said the county commission does not want to spend the sheriff’s drug funds because federal law requires they be spent by the sheriff. The commission just wants to make sure the accountability measures are in place, Dunn added. When the department participates in a drug bust with federal agents, they get a cut of the money and property that was seized from the drug dealers, Johnson said. The department’s Drug Task Force consists of undercover officers who make arrests after buying or making arrangements to sell illegal drugs. The drug unit was recently lauded for participating on a nationwide sting with the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency that led to multiple arrests in a ring that transported drugs from Texas to the Atlanta area. The drug seizure funds have been spent on equipment that is used to patrol for drug activity and fight other crimes, such as the helicopter the department bought last year, Johnson said. The helicopter has already paid off in its ability to track criminals, Johnson said. “Those are things the taxpayers are not paying for,” Johnson said. The helicopter is also available for use by any local police agency, the sheriff added. The drug funds also paid for the storage building the commission has complained about, which is being used to store the helicopter along with four wheelers and boats the department has on hand for search capabilities, Johnson said. Previously, the equipment was stored outdoors in the secured fence behind the new courthouse, Johnson said. Johnson said he understands the sheriff’s department was told there was no need to get permits for the structure because it was for storage only. There is also a helipad at the building so the helicopter can land there and a security fence, Johnson added. As to accusations the building is unsightly, Johnson said he has heard praise for the structure, and he noted it is also located behind a large berm. The building is next to the tall barbed wire fence of the county’s new jail and isn’t visible from Jimmie Mayfield Boulevard, Johnson added. The commission is also asking Johnson to use the county’s fleet maintenance shop to service the sheriff’s department’s vehicles. Johnson said the department did use the county’s maintenance department to handle its fleet at one time, but it took too long for patrol cars to be serviced. Now, local repair shops are used to maintain the sheriff’s department fleet, Johnson said. When the county’s maintenance department serviced patrol cars, some employees admitted they didn’t have the manpower or technology there to service the sheriff’s department’s vehicles in some instances, Johnson said. There were also instances where parts were harvested from older vehicles instead of purchasing a new part when needed, the sheriff added. “We can’t have a patrol car out for a week at a time,” Johnson said. “If we had several cars out, it’d cripple us.” The commission also wants Johnson to use the county’s purchasing department for equipment purchases, but Johnson said he wants to make sure local businesses are used for purchases when they offer prices “as cheap or cheaper” than offered by outlets in Atlanta. “I try to look out for our local citizens and establishments as long as its as cheap or cheaper,” than prices elsewhere, Johnson said. Johnson said he would much rather have a smooth relationship with the county commission because that works to everyone’s benefit. “I’d like to smooth things out,” Johnson said. “... I’d rather get along with them than argue with them.”
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