“I still get to pinch myself every day because I wake up and get to come to work and be the sheriff. I absolutely love what I do,” Barnes said. Photo Courtesy of Sutter County Sheriff's Office

YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) - Sheriff Brandon Barnes on Sept. 23 presented the Sutter County Sheriff’s Office 2024 annual report to the Board of Supervisors and the community, highlighting a year of modernization, community outreach and strategic investment in public safety.

The report, distributed in hard copy and available online, summarized divisional performance, budget allocations, infrastructure improvements and staff development efforts. Barnes described the document as both a reflection of accomplishments and a foundation for future goals.

“This report is designed to serve as a reminder of what we've accomplished during the year and also provide a foundation for what we hope to accomplish in the year to come,” Barnes said.

The department responded to nearly 80,000 calls for service in 2024, including more than 15,000 emergency 911 calls. Despite improved vacancy rates, staffing remains a concern, with current shortages at 18 percent in patrol, 13 percent in corrections and 15 percent in dispatch.

“Currently our patrol division is at an 18 percent vacancy factor, our corrections at 13 percent, and our dispatch at 15 percent,” Barnes said. “These numbers are slightly better than the county average.”

Barnes noted that retention remains difficult as neighboring counties offer more competitive pay.

“We have to find ways to invest in people and keep them here,” Barnes said, adding that the peace officer association is currently 12 percent below market.

The department’s total budget was $39.8 million, with $6.1 million in grant and legislative funding used to offset costs and support infrastructure improvements. The training budget was listed at $27,326, supporting more than 9,300 hours of instruction across topics such as de-escalation, crisis intervention and leadership development.

Staff recognition featured prominently in the report, with Barnes acknowledging the executive team, promotions, retirements and employees of the year. The revitalized honor guard was commended, with plans to expand the program.

“A couple years into me taking office, the honor guard kind of went away,” Barnes said. “We gave it a fresh look - and we recruited. And what you see is the result of that. We will be looking to add and expand this particular program.”

The department also continued its academy sponsorship program and sent personnel to the Sherman Block Leadership Institute and POST leadership courses.

Barnes said community engagement remained a priority, with participation in National Night Out, school visits, the annual children’s art contest and events like Shop with a Cop and Sober Grad Night as efforts to build trust and showcase the personalities behind the badge.

Wellness initiatives focused on physical and mental health, including peer support programs and the addition of a part-time mental health clinician. Barnes noted that funding for the clinician remains uncertain, and creative solutions are being explored to retain the position due to its positive impact.

Board members praised the department’s efficiency and creativity.

“We’re the Oakland A’s, you know; we do the best we can with what we have,” Supervisor Mike Ziegenmeyer said. “We run the leanest departments in the state of California.”

Barnes closed the presentation with gratitude for his team.

“I still get to pinch myself every day because I wake up and get to come to work and be the sheriff. I absolutely love what I do,” Barnes said. “The credit really belongs to the men and women that serve the sheriff’s office.”

At the same meeting, the Sutter County Board of Supervisors approved a budget adjustment to accept more than $110,000 in state traffic safety grant funds.

The funding, provided through the California Office of Traffic Safety Enforcement Grant Program, will be split between the Sheriff-Coroner and Sheriff Live Oak budgets.