Sheriff leaves money unspent

OREGON Government agencies often spend every cent they get. Sometimes they dont.

In the past 2 years, Ogle County Sheriff Michael Harn has left unspent more than $1 million from his annual budgets.

According to the county treasurers numbers, Harn didnt spend $766,000 in his budget last fiscal year and $572,000 the previous year. His budget includes law enforcement, corrections, and building and grounds for all county property.

In the 2013 budget, Harns unspent money included $350,000 for repairs and maintenance of buildings, including redoing the heating and cooling system for a county building, Treasurer John Coffman said.The sheriff handles the countys buildings and grounds.

Projects were planned, Coffman said, and for whatever reason didnt happen.

While the countys budgeting process wont begin for about 6 months, Ogle County Chairman Kim Gouker said, there might be a review to determine whether the Sheriffs Department or others are being overbudgeted.

Theres no point in budgeting funds, if theyre not necessary, he said.

Harn did not respond to requests for comment.

Gouker said Harn had saved money for the county by working to get favorable contracts for natural gas and electricity for county buildings.

The sheriff is also saving money by having patrol cars fill up at the gas pumps the county owns, he said, and has increased revenue the county receives from federal inmates who are housed by the U.S. Marshals Service at the Ogle County Jail.

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Sheriff leaves money unspent