Sheriff Jim Hammond said he sees no problem with hiring his son as webmaster for the sheriff's website.
However, he said Jimmy Hammond, who operates Flood-Digital, was switched from being paid as a contractor to that of a part-time temporary employee upon advice of the county finance department.
Don Gorman of the sheriff's finance office said, "Finance told us that the amount being paid was exceeding the amount that could be done without approval of the County Commission."
He said Jimmy Hammond had been paid $45 per hour up to a maximum of 20 hours a week under the contract.
Mr. Gorman said the rate is $35 per hour as a part-time employee.
Sheriff Hammond said, "He charges his private clients over $100 an hour."
He said his son is an expert webmaster who has upgraded the sheriff's site with such features as videos featuring messages from the sheriff and his commanders. He said his son makes constant updates of the site and is called on to repair it at times.