MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Those living in Shelby County Wednesday weren't thrilled to learn the next county budget proposal. If approved by county commissioners, it would eliminate nearly 450 vacant sheriff office positions.
A vast majority of the eliminated positions would be corrections deputies inside county jail buildings.
"The crime is already getting out of control, so it makes me question what their plans are," resident Kelsey Shutze said.
Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner shared that concern with ABC24.
"We were blindsided like many of the other elected officials that were blindsided by this. To cut 441 positions from the Sheriff's Office - we can't live within that," Sheriff Bonner said.
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris' proposed budget does not ask for a county property tax increase but does suspend hiring across the board.
Sheriff Bonner contends Mayor Harris' budget proposal for his office is against the law because according to state law, a new budget can't undercut the previous budget, which this proposal does.
"We are all scrambling now trying to figure out how this is going to work. We won't be able to do the things that we need to do to keep the citizens safe," Sheriff Bonner said.
The potential lack of safety is concerning news for citizens of Shelby County.
"More is better, not less.," Shutze said.
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris provided the following statement:
“This year’s budget sets forth a path to give Shelby County law enforcement their highest raise in Shelby County history. It would also, if approved, make our law enforcement personnel amongst the highest paid in the region. Look, we have to raise their pay because pay is the only meaningful lever we have for recruitment. The budget also proposes hundreds of positions for the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office to fill, but, again, these positions have to be paid more. My position is simple: Pay law enforcement more money, period. We must recruit and retain deputies, and those serving our community deserve this raise.”
Sheriff Bonner said he will take legal action by suing the county if the proposed budget is passed. The commission must approve a budget by July 1.