I’m Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly and I’m asking you to join me and support funding pay raises for our deputies and 9-1-1 dispatchers. They have delivered for you by reducing crime 54% and handling your calls in time of need. Now we need to deliver for them. The Board of County Commissioners and I have not agreed on a budget. We were $1.3 million dollars apart but I offered to defer new deputies so we are actually $700,000 apart – all to adjust pay to be competitive with nearby agencies. I’ve even told them where the money is but then the County Administrator quickly changes the County budget proposal to make it look unavailable. This Wednesday, September 7th at 5:00pm is the last opportunity to convince the County Commission to fund the raises. Without that money, I simply won’t be able to give the men and women who protect and serve Flagler County the competitive pay other nearby agencies are paying. I’m not asking to be the top paid agency – just be competitive so I can retain and attract employees to serve you. The meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, September 7th at 5 P.M. inside the county commission chambers at the Government Services Building located at 1769 East Moody Boulevard in Bunnell. It’s the green-domed building near the Flagler County Courthouse. If you can’t make the meeting, send them an email. Join me and let’s send a message to the County Commissioners that public safety matters, not just rhetoric.