'I am fiscally responsible': Cleveland County sheriff responds to financial concerns

NORMAN, Okla. (KOKH) — On Thursday, officials approved a fix to an $800,000 issue that came up with the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office's finances.

According to the CCSO, the computer system at the county clerk's office rolled over purchase orders from Fiscal Year 2023 into 2024.

The error made it appear as if the sheriff's office had spent more than it had, according to Sheriff Chris Amason.

The sheriff applauded the clerk's office for addressing the situation.

"I am fiscally responsible. I am not over budget and we are working within the means to... do that. And it's not going to be an issue... that they're saying. I have not overspent," he explained.

On Wednesday, the county treasurer told FOX 25 that it was baffling that any officeholder would blow past his budget.

However, according to the sheriff, that is flat-out not true when it comes to his office.

He said the CCSO's budget is $18.3 million and its expenditures as of Apr. 10 were just over $16.8 million.

"How you can say that I've blown through 18.3 is ridiculous. And... I'm tired of the lies being spread, and it's time to right this... ship," added Sheriff Amason.

The sheriff is also assuring deputies and the public that payroll is going ahead as planned on Monday—and was never at risk.

According to the sheriff's office, the rolled-over purchase order issue was separate from payroll.

The sheriff asserted that a change for the current fiscal year in how his office is funded is behind all the confusion.

He said that his office moved from being funded through an ad valorem revenue-based model to an income-driven business model that isn't working.

Officials previewed further action to iron out a plan to make sure the sheriff's office's finances are sorted out for the rest of the fiscal year.

Cleveland County Commissioner Rusty Grissom explained, "We're still in the process, working out, getting all the details, trying to get to how much money we're going to need to finish out the year with the sheriff's budget."

According to Grissom, taking action on closed purchase orders allowed the CCSO to make payroll.

CCSO employees will be getting paper checks on Monday, which is the normal payday for the sheriff's office.

The office told FOX 25 it missed a deadline for direct deposit while moving money from one account to another, so paper checks are being used to ensure employees get paid.

In the future, the sheriff said he wants to address the funding structure for his office to get to the root cause of these many challenges.

Cleveland County Commissioner Rod Cleveland shared the following statement with FOX 25:

I am pleased that the current payroll issue facing the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office was resolved without the need of additional funding. In a previous meeting, the Sheriff’s Office CFO had identified an issue with purchase orders. I am glad the sheriff’s office and the county clerk worked together to get that problem resolved, closing encumbrances or obligated money, this frees up money for immediate payroll needs. What has not been resolved is available money in the Sheriff's Office budget accounts to cover the current rate of spending for the rest of the fiscal year, including several more pay periods. The sheriff’s office has revenue and expenses that must be balanced and the Sheriff Office is at, or close to, his budget allotment with most of the fourth quarter of the fiscal year remaining. The budget board has repeatedly asked for detail report of needed expenses and payroll. At this point, the budget board needs a plan from the Sheriff's Office so we can work together as a team to resolve this ongoing issue and finish out the fiscal year. This is not a funding issue.