Sheriff Fred Abdalla said the problem has been brewing for years.

"I don't think anyone could be more upset about this facility than I am, but we're stuck with it," Abdalla said.

Wednesday, the Jefferson County Mayors Association sent a letter to the county commissioners demanding action on the problem of housing prisoners. Currently, many suspects are being booked and released.

WEB EXTRA: Click here to read the letter in its entirety

In response to the letter, Abdalla said, "Not one mayor in this county that I can recall came forward and said, 'Sheriff, can we get out there?' No one came forward and now they're complaining because the jail is in the situation it is. Well, I'm not a magician. I can't perform miracles down here."

Abdalla said the budget problems have forced him to lay off four road deputies, 12 jailers, a cook and a clerk. Jefferson County Commissioner Tom Graham said he suggested the sheriff take deputies off the road and use the money for the jail.

Abdalla said, "I can't believe the statement form Commissioner Graham (Wednesday) -- that the sheriff has a lot of money. If that's the case, why am I laying 18 people off today? I want him to show me where the money's at. Put up or shut up."

In documents obtained by NEWS9, in 2009 the sheriff had $2,459,480.73 in funds for road deputies. In 2010, the sheriff will have $2,026,938.60 for road deputies. Graham said if the sheriff moves a couple hundred thousand of that money to the jail's fund, the sheriff's department would be in better shape.

Abdalla said he disagrees.

"The people out there call the sheriff's office. They don't call commissioners' office. I'm not going to allow Commissioner Graham to strip law enforcement," Abdalla said. "Quite frankly, I'm tired of (Graham) speaking out of both sides of his mouth."

The sheriff said he has a way to fix the budget shortfall.

"The only solution is the levy. That's the only solution," Abdalla said.

But three times, voters have rejected a levy for the jail. Stay with NEWS9 and WTOV9.com for continuing coverage.

Previous Stories: December 30, 2009: Jefferson County Mayor's Association Wants Jail Problem Solved December 28, 2009: Jefferson County Commissioners Office To Reduce Staff December 4, 2009: Jefferson County Sheriff To Lay Off 18 Workers December 3, 2009: Commissioner Presents Plan To Fix Budget Issues At Jefferson County Jail November 24, 2009: Jefferson County Jail Problem Has Trickle-Down Effect On Courts November 2, 2009: Community Concerned About Loose Prisoners October 23, 2009: Jefferson County Budget Slashed By $3 Million October 22, 2009: Jefferson County Can Use Jail Settlement Money As It Sees Fit, Attorney Says October 21, 2009: Prisoners Turned Away From Jefferson County Jail October 20, 2009: Jefferson County Jail Stops Accepting New Prisoners October 15, 2009: Emergency Funds Head To Jefferson County Jail August 14, 2009: Jefferson County Libraries To Cut Hours, Staff July 17, 2009: Jefferson County Commissioners Ask Departments To Trim Budgets January 15, 2009: $1M In Cuts Needed In Jefferson County