Sheriff's office seeks small pay-grade change, proposes in-service retirement for long-serving major

Steve Sturgis, chief deputy with the sheriff's office, told the 2026 wage committee he wants to rebalance the department's rank structure and make a single pay-grade adjustment to equalize supervision on patrol. "The only adjustment that needs to be made is the increase from the lieutenant detective," Sturgis said, adding that the change would move that slot to a captain's pay grade and put a second lieutenant permanently on patrol.

Sturgis said the proposal affects one salary and would amount to "a couple grand for the year" on the department's current budget, noting the change would make lieutenant and captain pay grades consistent across patrol and investigative assignments. He argued the regrade would "clean up and balance the rank structure" and provide clearer on-the-ground supervision.

Sturgis also outlined an "in-service retirement" option for Major Chuck Milton, a 35-year deputy with 41 years in the agency. Under the plan Milton would begin drawing his pension while continuing to work, be reassigned to courthouse duty and be paid at a patrolman level; Sturgis said Milton would be allowed to "wear his rank insignia" though pay would be reduced. Any in-service retirement would require approval from the merit board, Sturgis said.

On hiring and pay benchmarks, Sturgis told the committee he set a proposed base patrol salary at $63,000 after averaging starting pay in 68 of Indiana's 92 counties; he said the average came out to $63,121. "Public safety is a foundation of an economically prosperous community," Sturgis said, arguing better pay helps retain officers and support community investments.

Sturgis also asked the commissioners to consider the timing of longevity payouts for retiring staff, saying paying some longevity this year could remove obligations from the 2027 budget and may positively affect retirement calculations. He noted payroll is typically two weeks behind and that any change would need commissioner input and alignment with policy.

The committee did not take a formal vote on the proposals at the meeting; members asked Sturgis for follow-up materials and indicated they would consult with the merit board and staff before decisions are made.