Commissioners agree to add an extra step for deputies and other sheriff's office staff at top step

County staff told the court that 80 sheriff's office employees are expected to reach the top step of the pay scale by Sept. 30, 2026, and presented three options to provide additional compensation: add an additional step, apply a 2% pay increase to only those maxed out, or grant those employees the same COLA used for other employees.

Staff estimated adding one additional step (salary only) would cost roughly $235,151; applying a 2% targeted pay would cost about $135,000; and applying the full COLA for those maxed out was modeled at about $250,000 (salary-only figures). Frances told the court the sheriff's numbers were more accurate and that staff had adjusted the spreadsheet to reflect 80 employees.

After debate over long-term effects on the step structure and market comparability, the court reached consensus to add a step and asked staff to update the FY27 proposed budget with the added cost. “So consensus there on adding that step,” Frances said.