by David Chapman
Staff Writer
The Meninak Club of Jacksonville and Sheriff John Rutherford have something in common.
It was the civic organization’s marching song regarding being “ready to fight with all their might for everything that’s right” that reminded him of the similarity.
“That’s what I do, day in and day out,” said Rutherford, with a laugh.
Rutherford spent the early afternoon with close to 100 members of the Meninak Club during its weekly meeting Monday, beginning with comments regarding the potential 3 percent across-the-board budget cut for all departments – public safety included – proposed by City Council. This, he told the crowd, on top of the $9 million he’s already cut would affect service levels. Fixed costs such as salaries and benefits make up more than 82 percent of his budget and potentially affect personnel levels.
“We can’t cut salary,” he said. “Just people.”
While pension problems have made headlines and are costly, Rutherford went on to tell the members that “the true story about these pensions hasn’t been told.”
Instead of blaming the benefits themselves, which he said critics claim are the best in the country, it’s been the City contributions over the last 13 years – a time that coincided with the millage rates decrease – that are to blame.
Now, he said, employees from all departments could be made to pay for the budget shortfall while the city continues to not realize its full potential.
“Folks, I think that’s wrong,” he said of employees being made to pay for the current budget, adding: “I think we are underinvesting in this community.”
He said that if the city had high ad valorem taxes or highly paid employees, he’d understand reducing the millage rate or reducing salaries.
“But, we have neither,” he said.
All the strides against violent crime and overall decrease in crime, he feared, might be in jeopardy due to the current budget crisis and its handling.
The decrease has come over time thanks to additional officers and initiatives following the JSO performing due diligence on its own budget and processes, said Rutherford, but one big help has been the ramped up effort of State Attorney Angela Corey and her office’s aggressive prosecution to ensure the “revolving door of criminals getting rearrested” stops.
“When you see Angela Corey, you ought to give her a big hug and a kiss,” said Rutherford.
Members of Meninak will have the opportunity to do so soon, as Corey is their luncheon guest Monday, but having Rutherford take time to join the group in the midst of crucial budget times was valuable.
“We were fortunate enough to get him, this year especially” said Meninak President Bunky Johnson. “We always learn a lot from his time with us.”
The time spent, said Rutherford, with organizations like Meninak is extremely helpful in getting the department’s message out, especially with a group so involved in the community.
“They’re here, taking time off and meeting each week because they care about the community,” said Rutherford. “Going out to groups like these is vitally important.”
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