CLEVELAND, Tenn. - Members of the Bradley County Commission's Finance Committee are asking for a more straightforward budget this year from the sheriff's department.

After budget reductions in 2010 to the current budget, the sheriff's department has sought a number of amendments to move money from one category to another to meet payments for contracted services and other expenses.

During today's meeting, Chairwoman Connie Wilson led a discussion that reduced the latest department budget amendment requests. Those amendments, involving $120,500 worth of changes, will go to the full commission for a vote.

"I can't blame them," Commissioner Ed Elkins said. "They are doing the best they can with what we did to them last year."

Elkins voted against the budget last year. But he said he holds the department accountable for making payments outside the designated budget line items.

Sheriff Jim Ruth was elected for his first term in August 2010 after the current budget had been approved.

For complete details, see tomorrow's Chattanooga Times Free Press.