LOWVILLE — Lewis County's sheriff is seeking a bump in his proposed funding for overtime next year, suggesting it's needed to cover a variety of expenses.

"I don't think you'd like me to come back at the end of the year and ask for more money," Sheriff L. Michael Tabolt told legislators Tuesday at a budget work session.

While $226,203 was requested for overtime, only $110,222 was allotted in the 2009 tentative budget, he said.

That fund is used for payment of temporary recreational patrols, coverage for employees out on sick, vacation or personal leave and money paid to employees for unused vacation time, Sheriff Tabolt said.

"All that is under the umbrella of overtime," he said.

The sheriff said his department's expected needs from the overtime fund are "not correctly portrayed" in the tentative budget.

The budgeted figure was basically developed by doubling the year-to-date expenses, said Legislator Richard C. Lucas, R-Barnes Corners.

"The hardest hit time is between now and Dec. 31," Sheriff Tabolt said, noting part of that stems from increased use or cashing in of vacation days near the end of the year.

"I'm hopeful that you'll be able to do the job you have been doing, especially on the recreation side," Mr. Lucas said. With an expanded countywide all-terrain vehicle trail system planned for next year, more recreation patrols will be needed.

However, the issue boils down to a discrepancy between the sheriff and county manager on departmental needs, he said.

County Manager David H. Pendergast said it would be "prudent" for him and County Treasurer Vicki A. Roy to review the figures with Sheriff Tabolt's secretary, who handles the department's accounting.

The goal is to put overtime and temporary worker expenses in two separate budget lines, providing a better look at where exactly money is being spent, Mr. Pendergast said. Those items are now rolled into each department's personal services account, which covers all payroll funding.

Sheriff Tabolt also noted that six of his department's vehicles have more than 100,000 miles on them. And, with the tentative budget allowing no new vehicle purchases by any department, he warned that repair costs could increase.

Mr. Pendergast said he is looking at ways to use the county's vehicle fleet more efficiently.

The proposed Building Codes, Planning and Economic Development budgets also were reviewed at Tuesday's session, the second of six scheduled.

A public hearing on the $51.25 million tentative budget is set for 6 p.m. Nov. 12 in the third-floor courtroom in the new courthouse.