Three Butler County sheriff's deputies who were scheduled for permanent layoff at the end of the year will not lose their jobs.

The jobs are being spared because it makes economic sense, said Dale Pinkerton, chairman of the Butler County commissioners.

The county would have been forced to spend about $1,400 weekly on unemployment benefits for the three. That, combined with the expectation of one or two retirements or resignations in the new year, made it feasible to keep them on.

"We feel pretty confident that we're going to lose one or two deputies after the first of the year. If we do these [three furloughs], then we lose more [deputies] in the new year, we'd be paying unemployment and also paying to train new hires. It doesn't make sense," Mr. Pinkerton said.

The Butler County Salary Board, which includes the three commissioners and the county controller, agreed last Wednesday to rescind a previous decision to furlough the three deputies Dec. 31. The vote was 4-1, with Mr. Pinkerton, Commissioner Jim Lokhaiser, Controller Jack McMillin and Sheriff Denny Rickard in favor. Commissioner Jim Kennedy was opposed. The sheriff votes on matters that pertain to his office.

Commissioners decided earlier this year to eliminate seven sheriff's deputies positions, contending that the new jail would mean decreased work for the sheriff's office because overflow prisoners no longer would have to be transported to out-of-county sites.

Two vacant positions were eliminated in July followed by two more in August. Three layoffs were to be made Dec. 31. But, with last week's action, the posts will be reduced through attrition. The savings from eliminating the sheriff's deputy positions is expected to total about $350,000 annually after seven positions are eliminated.

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