County sheriff looking at cuts

The Valley’s top deputy will host a town meeting on some tough decisions to made about a shrinking King County Sheriff’s Budget.

Precinct Commander Major Jerrell Wills will discuss options at the meeting, planned for 6 p.m. Monday, June 23, at the Fall City Fire Station, located at 4301 334th Pl. S.E.

“It’s critical that we work together,” said King County Sheriff Sue Rahr. “We are all responsible for the safety of our communities.”

The King County Executive has informed all county agencies that in 2009 there will be an estimated $68 million shortfall in funds for the criminal justice system.

The executive asked all criminal justice agencies, including the prosecutor, jail, courts and the sheriff’s department, to take an “across-the-board” budget cut of 8.6 percent from their 2009 budgets. These cuts include a loss of 100 deputies.

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