New state legislation mandates in 2010 a sheriff's salary must be on par with county prosecutors.

The Vigo County Council took that first step passing a contract between the personnel committee and Sheriff Jon Marvel. Within the contract Marvel will assume all meal and food duties.

By Marvel taking on the work himself instead of outsourcing he will be saving the county over 100 thousand dollars.

The increase in work will gain Marvel a pay increase of around 80 thousand dollars.

With thousands being saved Marvel asked the committee to increase the pay of the 35 sheriff's department deputies.

Currently Vigo County Deputies make less than 40 thousand dollars.

"I know it's going to be tough because I'm having to cut my budget to the bare bones the way it is, but now that this money has fallen out of the air on the table I'm asking them to use that money," Marvel said.

"I believe that they are under paid and I will take it upon myself to see what i can do to hopefully give them a reasonable raise," said councilman Tim Curley.

The Sheriff's Deputy contract will be further discussed at Thursday council budget committee meeting.