The Madison County Commission met Tuesday, and the county budget was on the agenda. Finance Director Karen Bell gave a report on the financial state of the county and addressed law suits against the county. 

Madison County is paying over $400,000 in litigation costs in a lawsuit in which county jailers sued for back pay.  Jailers had been required to arrive 15 minutes before their shifts started but were not allowed to clock in so they were not paid for that time.

Discussion also revolved around the lawsuit filed by Sheriff John Mehr against Madison County to secure additional funding the sheriff says he needs to run the department.

County Commission Chairman Gary Deaton told News/Talk 101.5 FM that Madison County could be looking at a wheel tax increase to pay for the additional funding of the Sheriff’s Department.  Deaton says he asked the sheriff to drop the lawsuit and work with the county. Deaton added, if there is a tax increase in Madison County it will be because of the sheriffs lawsuit.