Riverside County sheriff warns over 600 deputy layoffs after budget clash

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco warned that the department may need to terminate more than 600 deputy positions because of a funding gap. He argued that the board’s refusal to grant an additional $150 million left the agency $125 million short, a shortfall he said translates to 622 deputy jobs. Although the Board of Supervisors increased the budget by roughly $25 million, Bianco described the increase as far below what is required.

To address the deficit, he intends to eliminate about 200 roles through retirements, transfers and attrition, while continuing to pay the remaining deputies even if it exceeds the department’s budget ceiling. County Executive Officer Jeff Van Wagenen justified the board’s stance, noting that the cumulative cost of the requests exceeded the county’s discretionary revenue and that fiscal balance must be maintained.