El Paso County Jail Overtime Costs Surge Despite Fewer Inmates

The El Paso County Sheriff's Office has seen a dramatic increase in jail overtime costs, rising from approximately $15,000 to $30,000 daily, despite a 10% decrease in inmate numbers. This spike in spending, which began after Sheriff Oscar Ugarte took office in January 2025, is straining the county budget and raising questions about staffing needs. County officials are currently evaluating the justification for increased staffing requests amid declining inmate intake. The issue will be discussed at the upcoming County Commissioners Court meeting, where a proposal to address staffing and overtime is expected to be introduced.

Key Details: • Overtime costs have doubled from $15,000 to $30,000 per day since FY 2024. • Average daily jail population decreased from 2,760 to 2,470 inmates. • County Commissioners will discuss the overtime issue on Monday. • Sheriff's Office has 518 funded positions, with 35 currently vacant. • A proposal to improve staffing and reduce overtime will be introduced at the meeting.