As a new fiscal year looms, the focus remains on Two Bridges Regional Jail.

The Lincoln County Commissioners spoke Tuesday, Feb. 4 with Sheriff Todd Brackett about some of the difficulties facing the jail ahead as budget season begins.

“We're being asked to hold the line,” Brackett said. “They are asking all the jails to hold the line, not flat-fund.”

But, the jail can't request a supplemental budget because of tax caps and laws.

While the jail remains hemmed to the bone, the time has not yet come where drastic measures will need to happen, Brackett said.

If the jail is forced to dip into its reserve funds to make payroll, it could, but it wouldn't be the preferred route to take.

“We've worked hard to put that money in place,” Brackett said.

There is approximately $200,000 in capital reserves that serve as a “rainy day” fund for the jail.

But, if it comes to having to lay people off or dip into the funds, the reserve could keep the jail staffed for a few days, Commission Chairman William Blodgett said.

But still, more funding should make its way to the jail, Blodgett said.

“We've been too lean for too long,” he said.