The yearly task of approving

Fayette County's 2005 budget began

Monday night as the county commissioners gathered in their conference

room to begin work on the $46.2 million general fund budget.

After nearly five hours of discussion, the commission had successfully

approved several departments budgets, including the clerk of superior

court. (See related story.)

But the highlight of the evening

occurred when the commission started quizzing Lt. Colonel Linda Jones

about the sheriff's department

administration budget.

Jones asked the board to consider hiring three employees: A housekeeping

supervisor, an information system technician and a records clerk.

"We currently have the reception area unmanned, and two people

dealing with the public and filing the reports," she said.

But Finance Director Mark Pulliam explained to the board that Jones

did not offer enough justification for the two new employees. He also

noted that her budget was increasing from $672,871 to $843,204, but Jones

explained the bulk of the increase was coming from the transfer of two

employees from the criminal investigations division.

"Well, you would expect that the CID budget would show the reduction

of those two employees," said Commission Chairman Greg Dunn.

But as Commissioner Linda Wells looked at the CID budget, she just shook

her head no to indicate they had not been removed.

The department did pick up a new deputy sheriff in the traffic division.

"(Lt. Col.) Wayne Hannah is one of the best with budgets, and he

provided good justification for his position," Pulliam said.

During Hannah's turn at the table, he questioned the staff about

vehicle repair costs. Hannah had requested $16,100, but the staff had

cut the amount to $5,152. When it was explained the traffic division

would now be part of the county's fleet maintenance program, Hannah

said he calculated it would cost about $8,570 to be in the program.

The commission agreed to raise

the budget amount up to Hannah's

figure, and closed out the discussion with a curious question to Hannah.

"Was it your division that served us recently with our legal papers?" said

Dunn.

Dunn was referring to the

recent lawsuit between the sheriff's

department and the commission.

When Hannah said it was not

his division, Dunn wondered why it took two unmarked "dark" patrol

cars and three deputies to serve papers.

"I've got pictures if you'd like to see them," Dunn

added.

Commissioner Linda Wells said she planned to find out which division

had served the papers.