(KNZA)--An increase in the number of inmates being housed in the Doniphan County Jail could create budget problems this year for the Sheriff’s Department.

That’s what Sheriff Chad Clary told the Doniphan County Commission Monday.

Clary said that due to a $50,000 cut in his budget for 2017 by the Board, his department could go over budget based on the increase in inmate count and meal costs.

He said in previous years the average inmate count was between 5 to 7 per day.  This year, the average inmate count has risen to 15 per day, all factors Clary says the Board did not take into account when cutting the Sheriff’s 2017 budget.  

As of Monday, 16 local prisoners were being held in the Doniphan County Jail.  In addition, Clary said they are currently housing up to 10 inmates a day from Wyandotte County and four inmates for Atchison County.

Doniphan County is charging the two counties a rate of $40 per day per inmate.