MADERA -  Tuesday afternoon Madera County Sheriff Jay Varney met with the Madera County Board of Supervisors to discuss the proposed budget for the sheriff's department and the restructuring of his command staff.

That restructuring would eliminate one lieutenant position and the undersheriff position currently held by Michael Salvador for the last two year. In place of those two positions, two commander positions will be created and filled by two of the four existing lieutenants within the department.

The elimination of the undersheriff's position will save the county approximately $107,000 per year that will be used to staff an additional deputy as well as a dispatch supervisor. According to Varney his intent with this budget and restructuring is to get as many sworn officers back on the road.

If the proposed budget for 2015-2016 is approved by the board of supervisors, the Madera County Sheriffs Department will receive a nearly $2 million increase in funding, from $9.2 million to $11.2 million.

According to Varney, Salvador will be able to apply for either of the two commander positions but the Sheriff was less than confidant as to the undersheriff being selected. However, if any of the lieutenant positions come open within the next two years, according to civil service rules, Salvador will have the right to first refusal of that position.

Salvador lost to Varney in the November 4, 2014 election for Madera County Sheriff 42% to 58%. Varney, who had been the chief of police in Chowchilla since 2004 replaced former Madera County Sheriff John Anderson who served for the last 16 years. Salvador had been with the sheriff's department since 1997 when he left the Chowchilla Police Department as a sergeant to work for Madera County.

"It is what it is", said Salvador when asked about the elimination of his position. "I expect a termination notice stating that my position will no longer be funded come January. Right now I am concentrating of finishing up getting this new office opened."