Summit County Sheriff Kacey Bates is seeking two additional full-time detectives as her office projects approximately 600 investigations in 2026, up from about 490 last year.

Bates presented the staffing request during the County Council's Nov. 4 budget work session, part of ongoing discussions about the county's proposed 2027 budget.

The sheriff said her five-person investigative unit is struggling to keep up with its caseload, particularly when complex or urgent cases require multiple investigators.

The request would add one detective focused on juvenile cases and another assigned to adult investigations.

Investigative workload expected to grow

Bates told council members that her office handled approximately 490 investigations in 2025 and expects that number to reach 600 this year.

She estimated each investigation requires an average of 20 hours of work.

At that rate, 600 investigations would represent approximately 12,000 hours of investigative work, although the actual time required varies depending on the case.

Bates described how major investigations can demand the attention of several detectives at once, leaving fewer personnel available for other cases.

She said investigators have occasionally been called back from vacation to address time-sensitive matters.

The sheriff also pointed to increased tourism and the growing complexity of investigations, including cases involving digital evidence and fraud.

The projected increase in investigations does not necessarily indicate a corresponding increase in Summit County's overall crime rate.

Two detectives among four proposed positions

The detective positions are part of a broader request to expand the Summit County Sheriff's Office.

Four positions are currently proposed for funding in the 2027 county budget:

  • A detective assigned to juvenile investigations
  • A detective assigned to adult investigations
  • A K-9 patrol sergeant
  • A school resource officer for the Winter Sports School

The Winter Sports School would cover half the school resource officer's salary and benefits, with the county responsible for the remaining half.

Bates also identified a need for another school resource officer at Weilenmann School of Discovery, a K-8 charter school. That position is not included in the current funding proposal.

The sheriff's original staffing request was larger than the four positions recommended for funding.

The County Council has not yet adopted the 2027 budget or formally authorized the new positions.

Proposed budget remains under review

Summit County is considering a 2027 budget that includes additional staffing across multiple departments.

The county's Nov. 4 council agenda scheduled a work session specifically addressing personnel and new positions.

A separate Nov. 9 budget presentation outlined $107.5 million in proposed operating expenditures across three funds.

Those expenditures include approximately $62.3 million for the general fund, $37.3 million for municipal services and $7.5 million for assessing and collecting.

The county has not proposed an increase in the property tax rates supporting its general and municipal services funds as part of the current budget discussions.

Personnel expenses account for a substantial share of county operating costs.

Council members must weigh the sheriff's staffing request alongside other departmental priorities before adopting the final budget.

Public hearings scheduled in December

The county plans to hold public budget hearings Dec. 2 in the Snyderville Basin and Dec. 9 at the Summit County Courthouse in Coalville.

Final budget adoption is expected Dec. 9.

Until the council votes, the additional detective positions remain proposals rather than approved hires.