“NO PUBLIC STATEMENTS, NO REQUEST FOR PRESENTATIONS, NO PUBLIC SPECTACLE”
From the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office,
This morning at the Steuben County Finance Committee, I was asked to present an overtime analysis regarding the patrol division overtime for 2023 and 2024 and publicly defend it. The following is the factual presentation I attempted to present:
I have been requested by Mr. VanEtten and Manager Wheeler to create a presentation concerning the overtime costs associated with the patrol division of the Sheriff’s Office.
To my knowledge, no other department or agency has been singled out for a review of this nature.
To my knowledge, no other elected official or department head has been questioned publicly regarding payroll of any kind.
I received this request last Wednesday for presentation today.
In 2019 I was called to the Manager’s Office to meet with Legislator VanEtten and Legislator Fitzpatrick about the patrol overtime exceeding the budgeted amount.
I produced a tracking of every hour of overtime and asked where, in their opinion cuts could be made. They offered no solutions.
I produced the historical annual expenditures for overtime which were typically twice what was budgeted, with no annual budget adjustments to reflect the actual cost.
At that time both legislators agreed that we need to budget more responsibly and accurately.
This was done respectfully, in private, not as a public spectacle.
From Munis (county finance program):
In 2022, the patrol division was budgeted $200,000 in overtime.
(2021 actual spending was $305,988)
The actual 2022 expenditure was $320,486
In 2023 the patrol division was budgeted $200,000 in overtime
The actual expenditure was $357,088.21
In late 2023 the DACS received a 2% for 2022 and 13% for 2023 salary increase.
In 2024, the patrol division was budgeted $200,000 in overtime
The actual expenditure was $346,848
In 2025, the patrol division is still budgeted at $200,000 in overtime
2025 the DACS received a 6% salary increase.
Other 24/7 agency overtime:
911 Department
2023 were budgeted $120,000 for overtime.
Their actual expenditure was $193,398.54
2024 were budgeted $180,000 for overtime.
Their actual expenditure was $277,577.73 (154% of budgeted amount)
NO PUBLIC STATEMENTS, NO REQUEST FOR PRESENTATIONS, NO PUBLIC SPECTACLE
Other Large Agencies:
DPW Road
2023 budgeted $605,000 for overtime.
Their actual expenditure was $496,625
2024 budgeted $611,000 for overtime. (instead of decreasing to match historical expenditures, budget increased by $6,000)
Their actual expenditure was $670,459 (a one-year increase of $173,834)
NO PUBLIC STATEMENTS, NO REQUEST FOR PRESENTATIONS, NO PUBLIC SPECTACLE
DPW Landfill
2023 were budgeted $192,000 for overtime.
Their actual expenditure was $206,110
2024 were budgeted $215,000 for overtime. (increased to reflect historical expenditures)
Their actual expenditure was $233,620
NO PUBLIC STATEMENTS, NO REQUEST FOR PRESENTATIONS, NO PUBLIC SPECTACLE
Background Information:
In 2021 Mr. VanEtten asserted that the Sheriff’s Foundation was illegal and in violation of the Steuben County Ethics Law.
This was an untrue statement.
Since that time the Foundation has saved Steuben County taxpayers over $40,000 in equipment and training for the Sheriff’s Office.
In 2021 Mr. VanEtten asserted that I received kickbacks from vendors.
This was an untrue statement.
In 2021 Mr. VanEtten stated that I did not collaborate with the county regarding employee disciplines.
This was an untrue statement
In 2021 Mr. VanEtten stated that the legislature could take away my indemnification and reduce my budget
Since 2021 there has been no increase in the patrol division overtime budget regardless of salary increase, staffing or increased responsibilities.
In 2023 Mr. VanEtten, as Chair of the Legislature, introduced legislation to attempt to take away my indemnification.
This action was nullified in NYS Supreme Court in 2024.
Wasted time and money
Money that could have been used to build roads, increase public safety or hire needed employees.
In 2021 Mr. VanEtten asserted that there was something amiss with the way in which jail food was procured. $16,000 was paid to Bonadio to complete an audit of the jail food. The results of which revealed that the increase was based on food prices and an unstable delivery chain during covid.
Wasted time and money.
In 2023 Mr. VanEtten asserted that PrimeCare Inc needed to be audited based on a news report from Binghamton, you again authorized the expenditure of over ten thousand dollars to the Bonadio group to audit PrimeCare. The results of which revealed that we had received over $11,000 in services that we had not paid for. To date, I have not seen a final report from that audit.
Wasted time and money
According to the Personnel Office:
In 2020, the patrol division earned and was paid for 7,656 total hours of overtime.
In 2021 the patrol division earned and was paid for 7,511 total hours of overtime
In 2022 the patrol division earned and was paid for 6,618 total hours of overtime
In 2023 the patrol division earned and was paid for 6,834 hours of overtime
In 2024, the patrol division earned and was paid for 6,897 hours of overtime
OVERTIME BUDGET WAS NEVER INCREASED TO MATCH CONSISTENT AND PREDICTABLE EXPENDITURE
Conclusion:
Overtime in the patrol division has been consistent for the past five years
The budget for overtime has consistently not reflected the historical actual pay.
I have no means to correct the budgeted amount for any overtime, wages or salaries. Only the Manager and the Legislature have that ability
I have pointed this discrepancy out in the past.
I have explained this discrepancy to Mr. VanEtten in the past.
CONTINUED WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY
Even though the overtime has been consistent for the past five years, the budget has never realistically reflected the historical expenditures.
Mr. VanEtten expressed concern over certain deputies voluntarily working the majority of the overtime.
Thankfully, we have dedicated and committed deputies who would rather go without sleep than leave our county unprotected or a deputy on patrol, alone.
The two deputies who have worked the most overtime, Deputy Tom Nybeck and Deputy Matt Butler should be commended, not condemned, for caring enough about their community to cover shifts when needed.
The alternative is to order in deputies for mandatory overtime similar to the NYS Correction Officers.
Solution:
Steuben County has a total area of 1,404 square miles, of which 1,391 square miles is land.
Steuben County includes 32 townships, two cities and 13 villages. The county has 12 school districts, five special districts, and Corning Community College.
Steuben County includes Keuka Lake, Waneta Lake, Loon Lake, Lake Demmon, Canisteo River, Chemung River, Cohocton River, and Tioga River.
Steuben County is home to the corporate headquarters of Corning Incorporated, as well as other companies such as Alstom, Siemens Energy, and HP Hood.
Steuben County has three full time local police departments in the following municipalities:
City of Corning: 3.3 square miles (minimum shift of 2 officers)
City of Hornell: 3.3 square miles (minimum shift of 3 officers)
Village of Bath: 2.9 square miles (minimum shift of 2 officers)
Steuben County has part time local police departments in the following municipalities:
Village of Addison: 1.89 square miles (not covered 24 hours)
Village of Canisteo: 1 square mile (not covered 24 hours)
Town of Cohocton: 56 square miles (not covered 24 hours)
Village of Hammondsport: .36 square miles (not covered 24 hours)
Village of North Hornell: .6 square miles (not covered 24 hours)
Village of Painted Post: 1.3 square miles (not covered 24 hours)
Village of Wayland: 1 square mile (not covered 24 hours)
NYSP Mission (NYSP Website)
The New York State Police works to ensure the safety of the state’s roadways, prevent and investigate crime, prepare for and respond to emergencies and disasters and provide support to other law enforcement agencies.
Priorities:
Improve Highway Safety
Provide Professional Police Services To Communities and Investigative Support To Departments Around The State
Detect and Prevent Terrorism
Prepare For and Respond To Emergencies and Disasters
NYSP Coverage
NYSP coverage changes every bid schedule due to transfers, promotions, reorganization and current events.
For example, during the 2020 riots we had no SP coverage for two weeks.
During natural disasters anywhere in the state, or Puerto Rico, their coverage has reduced dramatically locally.
Wayland Barracks is scheduled to close soon, leaving Bath and Painted Post as the only 24-hour barracks. North Hornell will be used as a sub-station.
The Steuben County Sheriff’s Office is the local law enforcement agency for the remaining 1,334 Square Miles or 95% of Steuben County.
It is our responsibility to provide local law enforcement services to 70% of the population of Steuben County and to provide support to the municipalities that have their own police department and to the New York State Police.
Three deputy shift, each deputy has a patrol area of 444 square miles
Four deputy shift, each deputy has a patrol area of 333 square miles
Six deputy shift, each deputy has a patrol area of 222 square miles
The larger the patrol area, typically the longer the response to emergencies in progress.
Minimum Staffing levels for Patrol
Day shift, minimum two deputies, no supervisor (667 square miles)
Afternoon shift, minimum three deputies, no supervisor
Overnight shift, minimum one deputy, no supervisor
Additional Deputies
As you can see from the staffing table, due to the fact that the Sheriff’s Office is a 24-hour, 7 day a week operation, to effectively add one post to each shift would require six new deputies.
Each new deputy would cost $106,000 per year plus uniform, equipment, vehicle and training.
This would likely reduce overtime but not eradicate it.
Staffing Analysis
I propose we hire a company to perform a staffing analysis for the patrol force and use that information to guide our next steps.
Monroe County used Matrix Consulting at a cost of $84,500
