Fayette County

officials are starting tomorrow the arduous process of passing a budget

for next year.

County administrator

Chris Cofty said the proposed $66.8 million general fund budget is up

slightly over last year's $65 million budget, but said there's one big

reason.

"We're

hiring a number of people to staff the new jail when it's completed this

fall," he said.

The County

Commission will hear budget requests from its departments starting at

8:30 a.m. tomorrow at the Fayette County Administrative Complex.

The first department

to face the board is the Sheriff's Department. Officials are expected

to tell the board how many new deputies will be needed to staff the county's

jail.

After the Sheriff's

Department has its say, the board will hear from public safety, the tax

commissioner, engineering, elections, the court system, public works,

the development authority and the water system.

The first budge

discussions session is expected to wrap up by 6:30 p.m. and the County

Commission will pass a final budget by June 30.