Marion County Board Law Enforcement Committee Chair Steve Whritenour is asking the county board to consider an immediate $5 an hour raise for sheriff’s deputies, correctional officers, and communications officers at the Marion County Jail.
Whritenour says the department is no longer competitive with the wage increases being granted in other departments to deal with the shortage of police and correctional officers. He noted right now a starting sheriff’s deputy would make $9,000 a year less than if they worked for even a smaller department like Central City that also recently provided a $5 an hour raise. Whritenour says an 18-year sergeant at the sheriff’s department is making $18,000 less than if they walked down the street to the Salem Police Department.
“We have to fix it. One thing I’ve noticed, especially this year more than ever, we are starting to be more proactive. I think the AMERESCO thing is probably one of the best things we’ve done in some time. We’re being proactive with our buildings trying to recognize problems before they become massive problems. When it comes down to it, we need to figure out a way pretty fast, to start taking care of our employees.”
Whritenour fears they will not get the best candidates with the lowest wages in the region. He also noted part-time correctional officers that are essential to the operation of the jail are making just 20-cents over the minimum wage. Whritenour also pointed to the unaffordability of the family health insurance coverage as another detriment.
He feels the county can afford to make the wage adjustments now since their surplus has grown to $4-million and money will soon be available from the quarter-cent public safety tax since the law enforcement center will soon be paid off.
Board Chair Debbie Smith agreed they needed to look at the situation, but didn’t want to move so quickly.
“I understand $11.20 is awful. I know a lot of your deputies and it’s horrible. This was negotiated between the union and the employer. And I also think the county employees under the laborer’s contract deserve something more than $11 an hour because I know the Treasurer and Assessor have a hard time hiring anyone with skill for $11 an hour. I know it needs to be addressed but it has to be negotiated.”
Sheriff Andy Garden suggested if the county board willingly gave a large raise there would not be the need to pay so much to an attorney for labor negotiations. But he said the department would still go out and do the same job if the increase was not approved.
The issue will now go to the personnel and finance committee for further discussion.
