PARIS – Despite legal issues surrounding the removal of Christopher Wainwright from the Oxford County Budget Committee, the budget process continues.

The budget committee will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the county building to make adjustments to the initial $4.9 million budget proposed for fiscal year 2005.

The proposed budget represents a 13 percent increase over this year’s approved $4.3 million budget. Major increases are expected in the Oxford County Sheriff’s Department, where the Oxford County Commissioners have already recommend raises of more than 7 percent for Sheriff Skip Herrick and Chief Deputy Sheriff Jim Davis.

Herrick’s current salary is $43,164, and the commissioners have voted to pay him $46,458 in 2005. Davis was paid $37,099 this year, and will receive at least $39,711 in 2005.

In addition, the Sheriff’s Department has requested $186,500 to pay for three new deputies. The county commissioners have proposed whittling that request to about $29,000 to pay for only one new deputy.

According to administrative assistant Carole Mahoney, only the county commissioners make budget decisions regarding salaries.