The arbitrator whose ruling is binding on both parties has asked for eight more days to make decision on the contract negotiations between the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and its employees association.

66 Department employees received layoff notices last week. The county sited reduced revenues, reductions in state and federal revenue and $4million in PERS payments mandated by the state as justification for the layoffs.

The employee’s association last offer was for retroactive pay increases for 2011 through 2013 based on the consumer price index.

The county offered an increase based on the consumer price index of up to 2 percent.