Twin Falls County Sheriff Wayne Tousley got a 17 percent bump in his 2009 budget - almost double the increase last year - and said he was satisfied with the overall $3.55 million mark.

The 2008 budget was set at $3.04 million, which was a 9 percent increase over the previous year.

The fact Tousley, first elected in 1992, and the three county commissioners agree on the budget is a notable difference from past years, when they routinely clashed over budgets.

"I'm pleasantly surprised," Tousley said of the commissioners. "They really listened. They took a big look around."

Commissioner Terry Kramer credited the 17 percent increase to fuel; for the first time, the commissioners made the line item - $160,000 - separate from patrol car maintenance, which was budgeted at $140,000.

"That is a lot of gas," Kramer said. "That's probably not even enough, if you want to know the truth."

A major difference this year was that Tousley didn't request any new positions for deputies in his office. Last year, the sheriff received four new officers, the first time in nearly a decade he got new deputies.

Meanwhile, next year the pool of money for deputy salaries will rise by 18 percent to $2.67 million, which Tousley said is due to those new positions being absorbed. Overtime funding will nearly double from $65,000 to $120,000, which Kramer said also led to the larger budget.

The entire $37.5 million county budget is expected to be adopted Sept. 3.

Tousley's own salary will rise by 8 percent from $67,080 to $72,759.

The budget for the county jail - which Tousley manages - increased 8 percent to $2.82 million. Tousley was denied 10 new jail deputies. He said 31 of the 44 jail deputy positions are filled and the county could lose certification and insurance if the remaining openings aren't eventually filled.

"I am kind of disappointed from how if we don't do it soon, we may lose certification," he said.

The jail budget also received a 30 percent increase in funding to house inmates outside the county from $100,000 to $130,000.

"We are looking at the jail population right now and it's pretty stable at 160 (inmates)," Kramer said. "The current number of staff fits that requirement, and his (Tousley's) number is at the maximum, if he's going to completely fill the jail."

A recent post-budget meeting with the commissioners was held to discuss the future of the jail, Tousley and Commissioner Tom Mikesell said.

The budget has gained extra attention this year because Tousley's election opponents in the Nov. 4 general election have criticized Tousley of overspending and financial mismanagement.

Jared S. Hopkins may be reached at 208-735-3204 or jhopkins@magicvalley.com.