The Collin County Sheriff's Office Citizens Academy will not run in 2026 after commissioners voted to eliminate the sergeant who coordinates it.

Sheriff Jim Skinner announced Sunday, Aug. 23, that Citizens Academy Class 30, scheduled to begin the week of Aug. 24 and run through November, would not move forward.

The reason: the Collin County Commissioners Court voted during its FY2027 budget workshop the week of Aug. 18 to cut Sgt. Jessica Pond's public affairs position, effective Oct. 1. The Citizens Academy is open to residents across the county, including Allen, which falls within the Sheriff's Office jurisdiction.

Pond oversees public information, community engagement, crime prevention, public education and the coordination of community events for the Sheriff's Office. Her role also serves as the agency's primary media contact.

In a statement posted to the county website, Skinner said he did not believe it would be responsible to begin a new academy without knowing how the program would be supported through its completion, given that the position coordinating it will be eliminated partway through the class's August-to-November schedule.

Skinner said he has asked Commissioners Court how his office is expected to handle public information requests and community-facing services after Oct. 1. He has not received a response.

The cancellation drew swift public reaction. A Facebook post from the Sheriff's Office announcing the news collected 287 reactions and 128 comments by Monday, Aug. 24.

@DmitriiSelkov: "Sheriff Skinner, thank you for speaking openly about this. I was selected for Citizens Academy Class 30 and was very disappointed to see it cancelled just days before the start. More importantly, this clearly affects much more than one class."

Selkov wrote that he plans to contact Commissioners Court to ask which members voted for the elimination, what savings it produces and whether the decision can be reconsidered before the FY2027 budget is finalized.

The Citizens Academy gives residents a hands-on look at Sheriff's Office operations through presentations by staff. Skinner called it a "longstanding and valued tradition" and said he hopes to restore it in the future.

A public hearing on the proposed FY2027 budget and tax rate is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 14, according to a post by Pct. 4 commissioner candidate Shelby Williams.

That is also the expected adoption date. The new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

Neither Commissioners Court nor County Judge Chris Hill has publicly responded to Skinner's concerns. The dollar amount the county expects to save by eliminating the position has not been disclosed.

Residents with questions can contact the Collin County Sheriff's Office at (972) 547-5350 or [email protected].