BATAVIA, Ohio -- Salary increases were canceled for many Clermont County employees as a cost-cutting measure, although some workers could still be paid more next year than this year.

County commissioners are required by law to fund pay increases for employees of the Sheriff’s office, including deputies and corrections officers, who are covered by union contracts.

Officials have discussed various options for funding the mandated increases, including the possibility of layoffs, and positions left vacant through attrition may be allowed to remain open to reduce costs.

Additional meetings between administrators and elected officials will be scheduled to address the projected budget shortfalls.