The salaries for the sheriff's departments (among them public protection, detention, and court security) exceed 30 million. It's true that there are 'revenues' that include grants but the 'public safety' portion of the county's budget (which includes fire) is a whopping 50%.

There is also the matter of the departmental pensions that were awarded in fatter times and are now strapping the county's resources.

There's no supervisor who would advocate cutting the sheriff's budget and hope to get re-elected. It just isn't done. The sheriff is handled with kid gloves.

A lot of the questioning for the sheriff focussed on the medical wing at the jail.

Of course the DA didn't fare so well today. That's not to say his budget was cut but he was actually questioned and challanged. The supervisors are still hoping to get his department more monies on last day.

During a scheduled meeting you can listen live here.

sccounty01.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/bds/Govstream/ASP/Display/SCCB_Live_Frame.asp