Budget committee looking to finalize plan for sheriff’s department

Published 10:21 pm Friday, February 11, 2022

Carter County Sheriff’s Department employees and jailers should learn more about proposed pay increases and bonuses on Monday.

The Budget and Nominating Committees are scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. in the Carter County Courthouse and will review proposals for both sign-on and retention bonuses for sheriff’s department employees and across-the-board pay increases.

Commissioner Aaron Frazier proposed a $3,000 sign-on and retention bonus, retroactive to Nov. 1, 2021, during the committee’s January meeting. The bonus would exclude Sheriff Dexter Lunceford and Chief Deputy James Parrish.

Finance Director Carolyn Watson presented updated estimates of the financial impact of those bonuses during the financial committee meeting earlier this month. She said the department has 132 eligible positions, including 107 full-time employees; 14 part-time employees; and 11 open positions. Sign-on bonuses would total $48,000 and retention bonuses $321,000, for a total of $369,000 she said.

Watson also presented details on the cost of proposed pay increases including a flat amount of $2,000 for full time and $1,000 for part time; a flat amount of $2,000 for sheriff and jail employees and $1,000 for county and highway employees; and a sliding flat amount for all departments. Based on the 302 eligible employees, additional costs would be as follows: