The Hamilton County JailSheriff Jim Hammond is asking commissioners to fund another 16 corrections officers, because he says staffing the aging jail is becoming more and more difficult.
Hammond is presenting his proposed budget to the commission today for annual budget hearings.
An increase in inmates who have mental health needs is a main factor driving up costs, he says, because those inmates require more supervision, health care and security.
He's asking commissioners for an additional $977,000 to increase salaries and benefits at the jail. His jail budget is currently about $12.4 million. He's asking to increase that by $1.2 million all together.