PCSO issues hiring freeze across more departments

Pinal County Sheriff’s Office

The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office announced a second hiring freeze last week following a county budget cut announced in the spring.

Outgoing Sheriff Paul Babeu said PCSO initiated a freeze last fiscal year, too, when county officials cut the department’s budget by 4 percent and made additional positions subject to that freeze following the 3 percent cut this year.

“It’s significant,” Babeu said. “Even though these numbers sound small, (it) turns into millions of dollars.”

Chief Deputy Steve Henry made the announcement last week to PCSO staff via an email, which was obtained by the Dispatch.