LIBERTY, Mo. -- Two of the three members of the Clay County Commission have filed an appeal of two court rulings that order them to restore almost $1 million to the county sheriff's budget.
Sheriff Paul Vescovo has said his office needs the money to pay for food and medical care for about 300 inmates at the county jail.
An appeals judge said the money was originally cut from the sheriff's budget out of retaliation and spite on the part of Commissioners Gene Owen and Luann Ridgeway.
A previous ruling indicated the retaliation was for the sheriff's investigation of Assistant County Administrator Laurie Portwood for alleged document tampering.
This week, the appeals court turned down the commissioners’ request to transfer the case to the Missouri Supreme Court. The commissioners are left with 15 days to make a direct appeal to the Supreme Court.