BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Whatcom County’s sheriff says some are spreading false information about his department amid the debate over police funding.
A recent letter sent to local newspaper editors claims that more than two-thirds of the county’s budget goes to the sheriff’s department.
Sheriff Bill Elfo says about 57% of the annual budget does go to law and justice.
Elfo says sheriff’s office functions including enforcement, jail operations and emergency management account for less than 17% of the county’s budget.
And COVID-related revenue losses have his and other county departments looking at possible funding cuts that he says would have a “catastrophic” effect on their ability to provide services.