Proposal to Add Oneida County Sheriff Investigators to be Discussed

Utica, NY (WIBX) - The recent request to fund two new Sheriff Investigators for Oneida County's Child Advocacy Center may be meet with some resistance from County Legislators. On Monday, the Oneida County Board of Legislators' Public Safety Committee will have a chance to discuss the request, proposed by Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente, Sheriff Rob Maciol and District Attorney Scott MacNamara.

Oneida County Legislator Rick Flisnik (R-8) is the Chairman of the Public Safety Committee, he says the request will be looked at closely. "We're going to look hard at creating any new positions, especially new positions just after the ink has dried on the 2013 budget" Flisnik said, adding "We need to scrutinize this".

Oneida County Legislator Ronald Townsend (R-1) serves on the Public Safety Committee, he is hoping to table the proposal until the request can be properly vetted. Townsend questions the number of child cases Sheriff Maciol is basing the request on. "We're taking his word that there are 500 cases a year" said Townsend, adding "I can't believe that there are 500 child abuse cases out there in the county that are serious".

The Public Safety Committee needs to sign off on the proposal before it can move forward.  The committee is scheduled to meet Monday night at the County Office Building.