Chambers County approves two‑year pay increases for deputies and jailers; health benefit proposal advanced

Chambers County Commissioners voted to approve a two‑year collective bargaining framework for county deputies and jailers that staff said is budgeted for 2026.

Speaker 3, describing the proposal, said deputies would receive a 6% increase in both years and sergeants would receive an additional $5,000 differential. For jailers the package calls for 5% increases over two years with a $4,000 sergeant differential; staff also proposed modest stipend increases. "6% is for deputies for both years," Speaker 3 said, and summarized the pay gaps for sergeants.

The discussion highlighted a proposed county health‑insurance benefit tied to retention. Speaker 3 said the benefit under consideration would run until an employee reaches Medicare eligibility (about age 65) and would require 20 years of continuous service without a break to be eligible. "It'd be up until 65... and that you would have to have continuous service for 20 years with no break," Speaker 3 said.

Commissioners noted the timing of implementation and budgeting; staff said the benefit, if adopted, would become effective in 2027 and that funds would be set aside in future budget cycles to cover the liability. The court approved the item with a voice vote.

Next steps: staff will finalize the collective bargaining agreement language and include the anticipated budget implications in the 2026–2027 budget process.