Sheriff Mike

Yeager made it quite clear Tuesday how he felt about the budget proposed

for his department by the county's staff.

"My first

inclination is to walk out the door," said a visibly upset Yeager.

During Tuesday's

budget hearing during the Coweta County Commission meeting, the staff

recommended a $10 million budget, which is an 8.9 percent increase over

last year.

But the sheriff

took issue with the fact that county officials had lumped in $1.2 million

of jail debt service into his budget.

"It's

fuzzy math," he said.

Yeager was

upset that the county cut his request for 19 cars to 12 cars.

"These

are just replacement cars for vehicles that have 100,000 to 250,000 miles

on them," he said.

The sheriff

has asked for 19 employees, but staff recommended only four new hires.

"How do

they know when they've never been out to my department?" he said.

Yeager pointed

out that for the last eight years his department has come in under budget.

With the growth that has occurred in the county, Yeager said he's not

being able to provide the services needed.

Instead of

lowering the property tax rate every year by a small amount, Yeager suggested

leaving the millage intact to get a few more dollars.

Commissioner

Robert Wood said the county is going to have to take a serious look at

the services it provides.

"I'm not

opposed to raising taxes to run this county," he said.

County Administrator

Theron Gay said the county had received $3 million in budget requests

that it was not able to fund this year.

If the county

had granted the requests, the property tax would have to be increased

The county

will vote on the final budget in January.