county special MONEY

Officials want more access to funds seized through criminal activities

Montgomery County Sheriff Phil Plummer hopes Ohio will loosen the regulations on how to spend money seized from drug busts and other criminal activities.

Staff photo by Jim Noelker Montgomery County Sheriff Phil Plummer hopes Ohio will loosen the regulations on how to spend money seized from drug busts and other criminal activities.

ENLARGE PHOTO

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By Lynn Hulsey, Staff Writer Updated 2:09 PM Sunday, May 24, 2009

DAYTON — Montgomery County Sheriff Phil Plummer could more than cover the cost of 15 laid-off deputies and officers with the $1 million he has in two funds filled with proceeds seized from drug raids and other criminal activities.

But he can’t use that money to pay staff. By law Plummer can only use seized assets for equipment, such as his SWAT vehicle, guns or computers.

“That pot can keep growing, and there’s only so much equipment you can buy when you are losing personnel,” Plummer said. “I’m for loosening up the regulations on how to spend the money.”

The County Commissioners’ Association of Ohio wants state legislators to allow counties to more freely use special purpose funds, such as seized assets from drug cases.

But while Plummer and other area elected officials say they need more flexibility over the use of the money, they do not want to cede control to the county commission. “I think it’s unconstitutional, one. And two, it’s just a money grab,” said Montgomery County Juvenile Judge Nick Kuntz. “It’s a battle for control.”

The battle comes as local governments struggle to cut their budgets without eliminating essential services. Montgomery County already cut $10 million from this year’s budget and is now asking the various departments and offices to carve out another $3.2 million across the board. Yet, nearly $19.4 million sits in 33 special purpose funds.

“We’re in a budgetary time when the old rules don’t apply,” said Montgomery County Commission President Dan Foley. “These are all taxpayer dollars. We have to look under every rock.”