By BJ Austin
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-731559.mp3
Dallas, TX – The meeting lasted nearly two hours and focused on the budget. The deputies had complained that the Sheriff was not fighting for jobs in the department - jobs the County Commissioners want to cut to help balance a 34 million dollar shortfall. Sheriff Valdez says she IS fighting that battle, and told the deputies so.
Valdez: I have always said from the very beginning we need to do things not to hurt the safety of Dallas County. And that means we need to have the equipment and the personnel out there to continue to provide the services that are needed.
President of the Latino Peace Officers Association, Deputy Mike Ramirez, says they'll give the Sheriff time to make good on things discussed in the meeting but deputies are formulating their own budget plan.
Ramirez: We want to give her an opportunity to address it in the proper from before we jump in there. And I think the citizens of Dallas County are going to see what we're going to propose and I think that's going to bring some change. I think maybe we'll open some eyes.
County Commissioners have ordered the Sheriff to cut seven million dollars from her budget.