Sheriff Addresses Hamilton County Budget Cuts

Hamilton County Sheriff Simon Leis says he was told to cut another four million dollars from the department's budget on top of the million he's already cut. As a result, it means more layoffs are on the way.

"I wake up in the middle of the night sick to see what's happening to this agency after all the years we've spent making it to what it is today," Sheriff Leis said.

According to Leis, he's frustrated that more must be cut from his budget after he's already laid off 230 employees.

"If we continue to go the way we are going with this department, if we continue with these cuts in essence what we are doing is destroying the agency and they are jeopardizing public safety in this county," said Leis.

County leaders say the cuts are necessary to balance the budget. Commissioner David Pepper suggests the sheriff furlough employees before doing layoffs.

"I think public safety is better served by minimizing layoffs and reducing salaries and having furloughs for your highest paid people that's better for public safety than laying off rank and file," said Pepper.

However, Sheriff Leis says union employees must agree in order for everyone to face the possibility. He's now tapping into 1.5 million dollars of drug forfeiture money but even that fund he says is dried up.