CARTER COUNTY IS RESPONDING TO A RECENT LAWSUIT FILED BY THE SHERIFF. THE COUNTY COMMISSION CLAIMS THE DEPARTMENT IS ADEQUATELY MANNED AND FUNDED. THIS WAS PART OF THE COUNTY’S ANSWER TO THE LAWSUIT FILED BY SHERIFF CHRIS MATHES IN WHICH HE SEEKS MORE FUNDING TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF DEPUTIES AND STAFF. THE COUNTY’S RESPONSE FURTHER SAID SOME OF THE DUTIES LISTED BY THE SHERIFF WERE EX-OFFICIO DUTIES FOR WHICH THE PLANTIFF IS NOT ENTITLED TO FUNDING. COUNTY LEADERS CLAIM THE SHERIFF’S BUDGET OF 4.6 MILLION FOR THE DEPARTMENT AND JAIL REPRESENTS A QUARTER OF ALL COUNTY FUNDING ON AREAS OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT. THE COUNTY IS ASKING THE SUIT BE DISMISSED AND THAT THE SHERIFF BE REQUIRED TO PAY ALL COURT COSTS AND OTHER LEGAL EXPENSES.