As the Columbia County Quorum Court’s finance committee works on the 2016 budget, there are several major funding issues to consider. At the two previous meetings, Sheriff Mike Loe has made impassioned pleas for raises for Columbia County’s deputies. He said his office has been short three positions this year. Loe cited recent attacks on law enforcement personnel, and he said that salary increases for deputies is a problem, not only throughout the state, but throughout the nation. The county is also working on a three-year document-scanning project. Currently, there is over $340,000 budgeted for the project for labor and equipment. The finance committee is scheduled to meet again at 5 p.m. Monday
