Sheriff asks for traffic deputy; court weighs SRO transition and backfill costs

Sheriff Jeremy Nettles asked the Scott County Fiscal Court on May 2025 for additional staffing to support traffic enforcement and to retain experienced officers in school resource roles.

The sheriff originally requested two dedicated traffic deputies for a unit focused on speed enforcement. After discussion, court members indicated they would consider funding one dedicated traffic deputy in the coming year and track results.

Sheriff Nettles also said a current contract deputy — a retired Kentucky State Police trooper — has proposed moving into an SRO role on a year‑round basis rather than the typical 185‑day contract. The sheriff requested authority to allow that deputy to work full time in the schools and asked that his patrol vacancy be backfilled.

County finance staff provided cost estimates. Jeff said the combined cost of the SRO working additional summer/holiday hours and backfilling the deputy with a benefits‑eligible hire would be approximately $56,000. He estimated the cost of adding a separate full‑time patrol deputy (market median salary plus benefits) would be about $108,000 total, including benefits and equipment; the county has discussed vehicle replacement and budgeted for patrol vehicles separately.

Court members supported trying one dedicated traffic deputy for a year and tracking enforcement results while also seeking to retain experienced school deputies. The court did not take a final funding vote at the meeting.