Kane County board cuts $225,000 from sheriff's budget

Kane County Board members Tuesday dropped the budgetary guillotine, as expected, on Sheriff Don Kramer's budget. And the only person who knows exactly how the forced budget cut will affect the office and county residents still wasn't ready to paint that picture in detail.

The board unanimously approved a $225,000 budget cut for Kramer. The figure represents the initial anticipated revenue loss stemming from Kramer's decision to cancel a $2.5 million contract with the U.S. Marshals Service to host federal detainees at the county jail.

But board members learned last week the financial loss will likely total the full $2.5 million as the marshals have already transferred all but a handful of the detainees from the jail.

Board members attempted to ask questions Tuesday about how much it costs to house an inmate at the jail and where in the county budget the $2.5 million of revenue goes. County Board Chairman Chris Lauzen told them to save those questions for the Feb. 20 committee meeting where Kramer is expected to reveal the full thinking behind the contract cancellation.

Kramer attended Tuesday's meeting, but he was not offered a chance to speak. He shared a written statement with reporters after the meeting.

"It is disappointing that the board is taking legal action to reduce the budget of an elected official," the statement read. "This action will adversely affect the sheriff's office ability to provide sufficient public safety. I ask for your support in resolving this matter."

In response to follow-up questions, Kramer said he feels the board made a decision without full knowledge of the situation.

That said, he said he's already decided where to trim the $225,000 from his budget. Kramer refused, however, to share that decision until the Feb. 20 meeting.

"There are parties I have to advise before I make that move, and I also have to talk to my attorneys," Kramer said. "I don't want to speak out of turn."

Kramer said he's dealing with the situation as an unfortunate mandate.

"I think I can understand where they are coming from with the $225,000," Kramer said. "Do I agree with it? I'm going to defend every penny I have in my budget. I have to. That's my job as the sheriff to look out for the best interests of the public."

Much larger budget cuts for Kramer's office are likely if the board is not satisfied by Kramer's eventual explanation.