Something we've talked a lot about is El Paso County's budget crisis. Initiative 1A on the ballot is supposed to be the answer. It’s a one-cent sales tax increase that would generate $75-million for the county.

Sheriff Terry Maketa said if it doesn't pass, deputy response times to emergencies could double, even triple. He said right now, the average response time is 20 minutes.

We decided to see for ourselves. 11 News rode along with a Deputy Jeff Schulz.

A few minutes into his shift, he’s searching a car for drugs in Cimarron Hills. Then, there is an emergency in Peyton. A man was threatening suicide, telling 911 operators that cops will have to take him down. Deputy Schulz pushes 90 miles an hour to get there.

“They say I'll cover you as soon as I can get there. It’s a frightening situation because you know when you get there, there may not be another deputy to help you out, but you can't leave person who needs help," said Schulz.

The man turned out the man in the house is ok. "It took us 30 minutes to get to that call.”

On this night, there are seven deputies on the streets. They're covering the entire county, 1,800 square miles of it.

"Right now, 12 calls are pending for service. That means those are people waiting for a response from us." In some cases, it's been over two hours that calls have gone unanswered. That’s also how long it took us to get to Black Forest. Someone called to report a suspicious car driving around the neighborhood.

Deputy Schulz is then called out for a hit and run suspect on the loose in Security.

“You can average 300 miles per shift." It took about 25 minutes to arrive. That’s too long, according to Schulz.

Sheriff Maketa said these response times are expected to get longer if initiative 1A fails. He may have to cut back, meaning only three deputies patrol the streets, instead of seven.

Those who oppose this initiative say it's an unacceptable level of taxation. Senator Andrew McElhany said county commissioners don't need more money. “I think they should take the $230 million budget have today and set priorities for wildland fire and public safety,” said McElhany.

He also said that this is a terrible time to ask for a tax increase.