A recent Hamilton County Commission meeting.

The Hamilton County Commission told Circuit Court Clerk Paula Thompson today she needs to cut staffing in her office to make up for reduced fee collection revenue, which started dropping off in 2006.

Thompson went before the commission today to request $192,194 in previously paid excess funds be returned to her office to meet her payroll through the current budget year.

Commissioners were required by law to relinquish the money - but not without scrutinizing Thompson's budget and payroll management.

For more, see Thursday's Chattanooga Times Free Press.