Jeffco Sheriff's Department funding battle continues

By: NBC 13 staff | Alabama's13.com
Published: December 10, 2009

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In Jefferson County, the battle continues over funding the Sheriff's Department.

The County Commission will vote next week on giving the Sheriff's Department $1.6 million.

Sheriff Mike Hale wants to use the money to bring back 32 deputies. They were laid off earlier this year because of budget cuts.

But Commission President Bettye Fine Collins is against the move, saying the sheriff still owes the county millions from last year.

“He did overspend his budget, that's a fact. He overspent his budget by $1.6 million. I don't know how that happened but we're not gonna have it happen again in anybody's budget,” Collins said.

But Lt. Randy Christian with the sheriff’s department said “It is personal... it shouldn't be about how she feels about the sheriff...it shouldn't be how she feels about me. It ought to be how she feels about the people in this county.”

The vote is set for Tuesday.