Perry County adopts sheriff salary schedule tying pay to experience and training

The county adopted Ordinance No. 26-2, establishing a new sheriff salary schedule and compensation policy that ties pay increases to years of service, rank and certified training. The ordinance passed by unanimous vote (6-0).

Sheriff David (first name provided in the meeting) and county leaders described a multi-tier matrix that moves deputies from recruit to merit deputy and then through higher levels based on years of service (for example, tiers for 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15-18 and beyond). The policy also awards discrete pay adjustments for certifications such as instructor qualifications and emergency-vehicle-operations instructor status; the sheriff and staff noted the county expects some deputies to act as trainer/instructors to reduce travel and external training costs long-term.

Commissioners and the sheriff framed the policy as a retention tool in a tight labor market. Council members emphasized this is a substantial, ongoing budget commitment that must be sustained in future budgets and said vehicle rotation and other steps were underway to reduce operational risk.