Developing Story: Jefferson county, Alabama commission files for permission to cut sheriff’s budget

  BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Jefferson County has petitioned the
Alabama Supreme Court to void a Circuit Court order keeping the
county from cutting the sheriff department’s budget.
    Commission President Bettye Fine Collins says additional layoffs
would be needed if the sheriff’s budget is not cut.
    In Thursday’s filing, lawyers say Judge Dan King lacks the
jurisdiction to temporarily stop the county from reducing the
sheriff’s budget by $5.1 million as part of across the board
countywide budget cuts.
    The Bessemer-based judge has stopped the county for 10 business
days from cutting the sheriff’s budget.
    A preliminary injunction hearing has been set for July 13, but
the county is asking for an expedited hearing
    Sheriff Mike Hale his office and public safety would be
devastated by the 33 percent reduction ordered by the commission.