Angered by budget grilling, Kane Co. sheriff walks out of meeting

Renewed questions about how Sheriff Pat Perez will make forced cuts to his budget this year quickly had him and the Kane County Board baring their teeth at each other on Tuesday, resulting in Perez storming out of the meeting.

"I'm being told now that I'll be $1.2 million over budget," Perez said as soon as the questions began. "Well, I had $1.3 million taken out of my budget. What am I supposed to do?"

County board members responded that deciding how to make the cuts was Perez's responsibility, but the cuts must be made. It would appear payroll would have to be targeted, meaning furloughs or layoffs. Board members suggested layoffs may be the best option considering it's the largest chunk of Perez's budget.

The board peppered Perez with questions about the manpower he has on the streets versus sitting behind desks. Both the board and Perez have said the sheriff's office is top heavy. Perez wants to rectify that through attrition. The board suggested the need to cut expenses mandates people be trimmed now.

"I'm really getting tired of these questions," Perez said when an interrogation began about his gang unit. "You want me to strip them from the street? These guys are taking guns and drugs and gangs off the street. It's a joke to even ask me about that."

"I don't want to ask these questions," responded County Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay. "But they have to be asked. How will the cuts be made?"

Perez said he had no idea how to make the cuts. Instead, he suggested diverting RTA tax money earmarked by the county for transportation projects and spending it on public safety. McConnaughay said that money is meant for transportation and should be spent there. With the RTA tax idea dead, board member Cathy Hurlbut reiterated the need to slash salaries. That put Perez over the edge.

"You sit here and grandstand for the press, but you don't come into my office," Perez said to Hurlbut and the board. "It's like me going into your checking account, taking out $1.3 million and saying, 'OK, Cathy, how are you going to pay your bills?' "

Perez said he had nothing more to say about the cuts, and headed for the door.