Sheriff proposes replacing three classification-specialist posts with two sergeants; county to receive $66,150 task-force grant

Scott County’s sheriff told the Board of Supervisors on June 10 that he plans to eliminate three classification-specialist positions in the jail and replace them with two sergeant positions, a change he said will align the department with typical correctional supervision models and create rotational opportunities for staff.

“This is supervisor-level work,” the sheriff said. He explained only one of the three classification-specialist positions is currently filled following a recent retirement and that he intends to implement the change when vacancies occur. The sheriff said no employees would lose jobs because the department will rotate personnel through roles and onboard additional correctional officers that have recently been hired.

The sheriff described the move as largely administrative and a potential cost-saving measure: “We are going from 3 employees down to 2 employees. However, they do make more money,” he said, adding the shift fits his broader personnel philosophy for the department.

Supervisors asked whether employees would lose jobs; the sheriff responded that no one would be laid off and that the change was prompted by a retirement. A supervisor thanked the sheriff for seeking efficiencies.

Separately, the sheriff reported that the state awarded a task-force grant of $66,150 to Scott County’s special operations unit. Two-thirds of the grant will fund Scott County positions and one-third will go to the Bettendorf Police Department, the sheriff said. The grant covers part of salaries for employees who participate in the special operations task force, runs July 1–June 30 and requires no local match.

The sheriff presented the organizational change and the grant as informational items; supervisors did not record a formal vote in the transcript but indicated support for moving forward.