SCOTT COUNTY, Ind. (WDRB) — Scott County is still trying to recover from years of budget problems, and according to county leaders, a long-running fight over the sheriff's budget is a big reason why.
Last August, the Scott County Council approved a $4 million loan after county leaders warned they were on track to end the year in the red.
Much of that problem goes back to a dispute between the council and Sheriff Jerry Goodin that started in 2024.
The fight began after Ford Motor Credit threatened to repossess three sheriff's department vehicles because payments had fallen behind. Goodin accused the council of putting public safety at risk by taking money from the department's vehicle fund. Council members said the money had been moved to pay for deputy raises.
Months later, the council cut nearly $2 million from the sheriff's budget, saying the county couldn't afford it. Goodin sued, arguing the cuts were politically motivated and forced layoffs in his department.
A judge eventually sided with the sheriff and ordered the county to restore his full $4.4 million budget.
That meant county leaders suddenly had to find millions of dollars they hadn't planned to spend. According to former Scott County Council member James Coomer, that's what led to the $4 million loan.
"All this bond started with the ordeal when the county council defunded the sheriff's department," Coomer said.
County records show part of the bond was used to cover the money the county had to put back into the sheriff's budget after the judge's ruling.
Current Council President J.R. Ward said in 2024 the county had no easy way to come up with the money.
"The reality is the sheriff was given a budget and he didn't like it," Ward said. "He got more money. It has to come from somewhere."
Coomer is running against Ward in this year's election. In response to a request for comment, Ward said he was at work and could not respond to council business.
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