By Bill Zeeble, KERA reporter
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-612962.mp3
Dallas, TX – Sheriff Lupe Valdez and District Attorney Craig Watkins both want roughly 15 percent more than they got last year. In the Sheriff's department, 18 million more dollars would fund extra personnel in the perennially understaffed County jail system that's failed federal inspections. D.A. Watkins wants an extra 5 million dollars for more people to help reduce the embarrassingly high crime rate. County Commissioner Maureen Dickey expects a compromise.
Commissioner Dickey: We obviously don't have money for everything. All things the Sheriff and D.A. presented are good things. It's just a matter of which ones we have to have now.
Several Commissioners acknowledge both budgets will likely rise. But each department must set priorities before a final County budget's approved in September. Bill Zeeble KERA news.