Dane County officials announced Tuesday that they’ve found a way to save a million dollars from the sheriff’s department budget. Newly elected County Executive Joe Parisi says the savings that will result from closing the second floor of the county’s Huber work release center are “significant” – but just a portion of the county’s budget challenges. “For example, the cost to continue in the sheriff’s office . . . just because of inflation the cost to continue is increasing by two million dollars,” Parisi noted. Parisi negotiated the partial shut down with Sheriff Dave Mahoney. Mahoney said the savings will come from moving some inmates into the jail, and using electronic monitoring on low risk offenders, allowing Mahoney to place on hold the hiring of ten deputy sheriffs. The county’s work release center has a capacity of 144 inmates and will house a little more than 100 when the changes are made.
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