There has been a lot of misinformation going around regarding the Pacific County Commissioners’ vote last Thursday, Dec. 26, to remove the jail from the Pacific County Sheriff’s Office.

• First of all, the sheriff’s office is not being defunded. The county commissioners are the ones responsible for setting budgets for the county and sheriff. The jail (with its personnel) is just being made a separate department.

• Second, the new Corrections Department is not to be run by an “unelected” official. It’s operation is now overseen by our elected county commissioners instead of our elected sheriff.

• Third, it is not part of some conspiracy by Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson and the State of Washington to — well, I don’t know why or how they could or would want it — this is just plain silly.

• Fourth, it will not reduce personnel in the sheriff’s office for law enforcement, unless you assume full-time jail personnel were not working full time in the jail (or not collecting overtime to patrol).

• Fifth, this is not something unusual. Several counties in Washington have taken this step.

• Sixth, it was not sprung at the last minute. Issues with the jail have been going for quite some time. It’s just with the end of the year budgeting deadlines a decision had to be made.

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This was a unanimous decision. All three commissioners — a Democrat, Republican and Independent — voted for this, and were supported by the county administrative officer and the risk manager as well.

So why did the commissioners take this action? While the sheriff obviously wanted to keep the jail under his authority, the commissioners have nothing to gain from placing the new Corrections Department under their direct control rather than indirect control.

The sheriff’s supporters came out in force at recent meetings to oppose this move, giving the impression of popular support, but is this really an unpopular move? I know there are reasons why the commissioners have lost confidence in the sheriff’s management of the jail, but the commissioners are constrained in what they can share. “Airing dirty laundry” in a public meeting would only increase the risk of legal liability, something the commissioners are trying hard to limit.

This was a unanimous decision. All three commissioners — a Democrat, Republican and Independent — voted for this, and were supported by the county administrative officer and the risk manager as well. I think they deserve our support for doing what they believe is in the best interest of the county.