SOUTH LEBANON — The village, its population jumping and its budget straining, may soon be sharing its five sheriff's deputies with neighboring Union Township.

        Mayor James Smith went Tuesday to the Warren County commissioners to ask the county to pick up about $60,000 of the village's tab, which amounts to the personnel costs for two of the deputies, in exchange for sharing those deputies with the township, which currently has no deputies assigned to it.

        The village would continue to maintain the equipment costs for all five deputies.

        “We have a lot under development, and we don't want to be caught without the necessary funds to pay for infrastructure in that interim period,” Mr. Smith said. “We've seen an increase in population of 10 percent in the last six months, and we plan to maintain the police coverage to deal with that.”

        The 2000 Census put the village's population at 2,538.

        Village Administrator John Louallen said the change would give South Lebanon much-needed breathing room in the budget. The village has had to deal with several expensive infrastructure projects.

        “Basically, we're in need of a little help for about two years,” Mr. Louallen said. “We're very satisfied with the service we're getting, and we'd like to continue it.”

        Sheriff Tom Ariss favored the proposal, saying it would improve service to Union Township, but he would need the $60,000 out of the county budget.

        Mr. Louallen said the township can'tpay for the deputies' salaries and benefits, but is agreeable to the idea.

        All three commissioners said they agreed with the idea, but wanted a resolution from South Lebanon's council, which meets tonight, and a letter from the township trustees. They would then vote on changing the existing contract and would appropriate the proper amount for next year's budget.

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