"It scares me when public officials lie to your face."

That was the reaction Tuesday morning of Sheriff's Department Lt. Col Bruce Jordan to the news that the Fayette County Commission denied funding another agent for the drug task force and an additional detective to investigate a rising number of identity theft cases.

Late Monday night, the board decided to oppose their staff's recommendation and not fund the two new personnel. The board is holding hearings in preparation for devising the next county budget.

"The sheriff constantly moves people around over there. He can probably find the people," said Commission Chairman Greg Dunn.

Jordan was amazed the commission voted on the proposal after telling him it would defer action until later.

"They told me they weren't going to vote and did it as soon as I left the room. This is just a slap in the face to every parent in this county fighting drug problems. They [the commission] do nothing but undermine drug enforcement efforts in this county," he said.

Business Services Director Mark Pullium had recommended funding the positions because of the growing identity theft problems and the increase of methamphetamine abuse in the county.

"I talked to people at DFACS and they told me how widespread the problem is becoming," Pullium said.

Jordan just wonders about the County Commission's true priorities.

"We have five [sheriff's] agents on the drug task force and 13 [county-commission-controlled] marshals enforcing the county's ordinances," he told The Citizen. Jordan said he may have to start handing out form letters to residents who experience identity thefts. The letter would indicate the county commission is not interested in funding a detective to work the case.

The County Commission also turned down a request to fund an additional records clerk for the sheriff's department.