But, unlike in Belmont, officials in Ohio County said they do not foresee any layoffs in the near future.

In contrast to his colleague across the river, Ohio County Sheriff Pat Butler said he considers the budget amount good news. Although Butler asked for more money, he said he's grateful for the $55,000 increase.

"You go to these sheriffs' conferences and listen to these horror stories that these guys have with their commissioners. They have to file lawsuits against them to get more money," Butler said.

The Belmont County Sheriff's Department also has a $2.2 million budget, but that's about $1 million less than it had last fiscal year. Because of that, Belmont County Sheriff Fred Thompson said he will be forced to lay off 68 people.

Ohio County Administrator Greg Stewart said the economy affected each county at a different time in a different way.

Stewart said The Highlands development brought additional tax revenue to the county. Ohio County also has video lottery and table gaming.

But Stewart said that might not be enough to keep the county's budget growing and the worst may be yet to come.

"We don't know with this economic time how much further our revenues may slide," he said.

Stewart said it's difficult to set each department's budget now because they don't know how much surplus the county will have until July.

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Previous Stories: March 26, 2009: Belmont County Sheriff's Department To Lay Off 68 People, Release Prisoners