Sheriff wins approval for $3-an-hour on-call pay for deputies

The Cheyenne County Board of Commissioners approved a proposal to pay deputies $3 per hour when they are placed on call on scheduled days off, a policy aimed at compensating staff who cover shifts during vacancies or absences.

The sheriff explained the proposal, noting that call time is typically built into regular wages when a deputy is scheduled to work but not compensated when a deputy is asked to be on call on an off day. He said the $3-per-hour figure is intended to be economical compared with the overtime that would result if deputies had to clock back in.

"I'm excluding myself from that as the elected official. I'm always on call," the sheriff said, clarifying that the pay would apply to deputies and the undersheriff when they are asked to take call on their days off.

Commissioners moved, seconded and approved the $3-per-hour on-call rate. The board directed payroll staff to work with the clerk (Sharissa) to implement the change in the county timekeeping system.

The motion passed by voice vote; commissioners did not specify a start date but said payroll staff would work out implementation details in the next few days.