Robert Koch currently serves as head of the downtown holding center and the correctional facility in Alden, but holds the title of First Deputy Superintendent.

Howard is requesting a new position of Superintendent be created, increasing Koch's annual pay from about $95,000 to nearly $105,000.

The proposed pay hike would not cost taxpayers, because the sheriff's department is lowering the salary of a vacant position and transferring the money to the new superintendent's job, said Undersheriff Brian Doyle.

"It's the sheriff's believe that the title of superintendent and the salary that comes with that civil service title is appropriate for the responsibility that the individual has," Doyle said.

But some county officials, including Comptroller Mark Poloncarz, disagrees, citing several suicides, suicide attempts and a recent inmate escape at the downtown holding center.

"For the last two years, the sheriff's department has been acting at an incompetent level that many of us are wondering, why would you reward people at this point?," Poloncarz said.

Erie County is being sued by the federal government. The U.S. Justice Department has accused the sheriff's department of violating the civil rights of inmates.

County lawmakers are expected to vote on the pay hike at Thursday afternoon's meeting.

Copyright 2010 WKBW