It was an issue Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla pushed for but voters turned down the county jail levy in Tuesday's election.

Abdalla said the result may force him to let inmates out early.

"It's dissappointing. I thought we had a shot that it would pass. I did my best," he said.

Starting Dec. 1, the sheriff said he will no longer accept prisoners from several municipalities.

He said he will need to cut the 150 prisoners to 60, and layoffs for the jail will start in February and March.

The levy would have given $3 million to the jail for operating costs.