The amount of daily activity at the Houston County Courthouse is forcing deputies to use more overtime.

Houston County Sheriff Andy Hughes says overtime hours are exhausting his budget. The sheriff says only four-deputies are assigned full-time to court security.

With multiple trials and the requirement for two more deputies in certain trials, his office has been forced to pull in more after-hour deputies.

The sheriff says he proposes hiring retired law enforcement officers specifically for court security. That, he adds would eliminate the need for overtime pay.