Tax cuts could be in store for Sedgwick County residents, after commissioners unveiled their new $400 million 2009 proposed budget.

It also means that the plans to expand the Sedgwick County jail may change.

During his presentation of the budget, the county manager told commissioners they should not pay for the project, but instead cut property taxes by 3%, which would save the average homeowner around $11 per year.

"Since 2005 the average daily population of the jail has been steady," said County Manager Bill Buchanon.

But the jail population, according to the Sheriff, is actually growing every year. He said that there are hundreds more inmates than the 1,200 beds available, and overcrowding is not going away anytime soon.

"I am disappointed with the manager's recommendation. I would not have recommended that, and I will be visiting with County Commissioner's in the near future," said Sedgwick County Sheriff Gary Steed.

Adding jail space has been priority for the county over the past couple of years. Commissioners even voted to raise taxes last year to help pay for it. But some commissioners say alternative programs have been diverting inmates away from the jail and an expansion at this point would be too expensive.

Building on to the jail would cost $54 million plus an extra $8 million per year to run. Instead of cutting taxes this year, Commissioners would have to hike them even higher to cover the cost.

"Pretty soon we're going to have over 50% of out county budget wrapped up in that jail and I don't think citizens can afford that," said County Commissioner Tom Winters.

But the sheriff says, regardless of the jail cost, without adding on extra space he can't do his job properly.

"It's a sticky problem that's not going to go away. We're going to continue to deal with it," said Steed.

Commissioners will have about a month to look into the issue before formally adopting the budget in August.

The county will hold public hearing on the budget on July 23rd and August 13th. Online comments can be made at www.sedgwickcounty.org.