Sheriff pleads with county commissioners for more IT support
The El Paso County Sheriff said he’s not getting enough help when it comes to staffing.
Sheriff Richard Wiles said Monday his department is short two IT personnel. It’s a problem he’s brought before El Paso County Commissioners County before. This time, just like last, he walked away empty-handed.
The problem stems from previous budget cuts. El Paso County’s IT department was restructured to adapt with the county cutting costs. Now Wiles is bringing up an old agreement reached by former sheriff Leo Samaniego which he says isn’t being honored.
That agreement between the county and the Sheriff’s Office allowed for five IT personnel to work at the sheriff’s discretion. Currently, only three IT department workers are being employed by the Sheriff’s Office.
David Garcia, who is currently running the IT department, agreed with Wiles that personnel could be hired and shifted to the Sheriff’s Office.
When commissioners asked Garcia if the job postings had been approved by the Staffing Review Committee, the attitude towards the move changed.
“I’m having to go through a process that I shouldn’t have to,” Wiles argued.
Wiles contends that he originally had the five positions, so he shouldn’t have to fight to get them back. Commissioners don’t agree.
“We’re evolving with these processes to build accountability,” Commissioner Anna Perez said.
Perez, and County Judge Veronica Escobar, voiced support for Wiles but said they didn’t feel right about pushing positions through without the proper check by a staffing review committee. Escobar pointed out that money is being set aside for new IT personnel in the upcoming budget, but said more vetting needed to be done since not all the requested positions could be filled by using that money.
“That’s the process we’ve been using all year,” Escobar said.
At one point, Wiles walked away from the podium where he’d been pleading his case with commissioners. Upon sitting down with reporters he made the comment, “I give up.”
When questioned whether Garcia had been making sure all of the Sheriff’s Office’s IT needs were met, Wiles said he had. At that point the commissioners decided to delete the item from Monday’s agenda.
Wiles’ plea for more IT help didn’t fall upon deaf ears. Escobar asked the review committee to look into the subject this week. They’re hoping to bring the item up during next week’s county commissioners meeting.
