YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene thanked the Mahoning County Commissioners for their support following a budget hearing on Thursday.

According to Sheriff Greene, the Mahoning County Criminal Justice fund is up about 8% higher this year with an 8% increase for both inmate medical services and inmate food services. Greene tells us the Sheriff's Office also hired 12 new employees.

When it comes to funding these operations, things can become costly, but Sheriff Greene says a 3/4% criminal justice sales tax supported by Mahoning County Commissioners has done wonders in helping to keep those operations up and running.

In addition to the Sheriff's Office, the sales tax supports the prosecutor's office, the coroner's office and dispatch center, as well as initiatives such as the Human Trafficking Task Force, Drug Task Force, Homicide Task Force and much more.

"Our commissioners have done a great job looking out for public safety. Their support for law enforcement hasn't gone unnoticed," Sheriff Greene said.

According to the agenda for Thursday's meeting Commissioners will soon be holding meetings to discuss this sales tax on November 30 and December 7 respectively.

The November 30 meeting will be at the Covelli Centre in Youngstown and the December 7 meeting will be at the Kenneth F. McMahon Hall in Canfield. The meetings are scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m.