EATON, Ohio -- The sheriff in Preble County said he is facing another round of budget cuts, which he said would prevent the department from keeping residents safe.

Preble County commissioners are expected, within the next few weeks, to cut an additional 8 percent from the county’s budget, which would cause several departments to scale back services even more.

The Sheriff’s Department is one of the budgets that would be forced to make additional cuts on top of 8 percent in cuts that were already made.

Sheriff Mike Simpson said he believes that additional cuts would possibly eliminate basic services that are offered to residents to keep them safe.

Simpson said, “Another 8 percent in cuts would decimate the department’s ability to protect people.”

The sheriff said if more cuts are made, he would have to eliminate a 911 dispatcher and road patrols, which would leave a handful of deputies, including himself to protect the county.

Simpson said he is working with commissioners to come up with a way to avoid the additional cuts. He is expected to know next week what the percentage of additional cuts will be that he will have to make.