Looks like one of Belmont County's ongoing feuds and budget battles may be ending.

I have seen an e-mail from Sheriff Fred Thompson agreeing to the Commissioners' demand that only 4 new staffers be employed when the jail addition is open.

You will remember that the County had hoped to save at least $500,000 per year by housing their own prisoners in the new addition instead of paying other counties "rent" to house their prisoners in Jefferson or Monroe County. But Sheriff Thompson planned to hire 8 which would have effectively wiped out the savings.

On my radio show this week, Commissioner Mark Thomas told me before the jail was built, the state Bureau of Adult Detention had agreed the lower number was adequate and all of the county parties agreed. Thompson had tried to hire more as the jail prepared to open.

But the day after Thomas' appearance, the Sheriff apparently had some second thoughts and sent the commission president an e-mail saying he would agree to only hiring 4