Sandusky County Sheriff budget expected to decrease

FREMONT — The Sandusky County Sheriff office is projected to see a slight decrease in its 2017 budget.The department's budget is expected to come in at about $4.7 million, a decrease of about $200,000 to $250,000 from its 2016 budget."It would be easier for all of us if we had more money," said Sandusky County Commissioner Dan Polter.Polter stressed departmental budgets have not been finalized.Sandusky county auditor Jerri Miller projected $500,000 to $600,000 less revenue for the 2017 county budget.Some of that is due to a projected loss of $250,000 in 2017 and $750,000 in 2018 because of changes to the state code of taxation of Medicaid services. There was also insurance increases and an increase in demand for county services, such as for outside housing placement at the Sandusky County Job and Family Services.Sheriff elect Chris Hilton said he would like to have had more money but understands the county itself has less money.The Sheriff's department is in the midst of contract negotiations and anticipates a big increase in salary expendature in the upcoming year.The department has seen an increase in medical expenses in the jail as well as an increase in housing, especially for female inmates. Hilton does not anticipate those expendiures decreasing in 2017.Administrators will keep a close eye on overtime, he said."To be honest other than taking a look at personel I do not know what to do," Hilton said.Sandusky County Sheriff Chris Hilton thanks members of the crowd during his swearing in ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2016 in Fremont.