Pay raise

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Wow without side gigs we would be screwed.

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We are too too (Admin) heavy and the BOCC knows it, sucks but it is what it is...

[Unregistered]

Still screw us with side gigs having to pay back a portion for purposes are are outlined in the budget like fuel. Where's all the money going?

[Unregistered]

I think it goes back to the county administrators so why do we have to pay it? Cut the fat like the majors and the Lt colonel and the media people that could be done by somebody else and the videographer and the funeral escorts and the traffic unit and the extra chief . That's enough for a few more boots on the ground and maybe a raise too. And the party planner too. AI can do that and would be better at that than typing a letter.

[Unregistered]

The BOCC knows we have 2 majors, 2 chiefs and MULTIPLE miscellaneous positions that aren't necessary so you do the math...

[Unregistered]

Yea then he threatens the taxpayers to take away SRO's, court security and other areas. Can't blame the citizens or the commissioners that we are to top heavy!

[Unregistered]

Personally I'd rather see more officers in schools and less Sheriff on billboards everywhere. Common sense says we know to "lock our doors"

A billboard on the cheap through Lamar/Salter is $1000-$1500 per month depending on location,

[Unregistered]

I am 100% in favor of raises for our Deputies, from Sgt down. Then when that's done, look at the higher ranks. But...Why hasn't this issue been discussed months before budget time? The Sheriff has donated $461000.00 in LETF Money, that by law, could have gone towards Resourse Officers instead of donations to a golf tournament and etc. Plus, this seems like Morgan is using specific issues that he knows will upset parents. Maybe instead of $130,000+ for Lock Your Doors Billboards, the LETF Money should have been spent on Resource Officers or other allowable ECSO Expenses.

[Unregistered]

Don't worry 3 of the commissioners are about to start an investigation into the LET funds from what I was told so this should get interesting.

[Unregistered]

I am 100% in favor of raises for our Deputies, from Sgt down. Then when that's done, look at the higher ranks. But...Why hasn't this issue been discussed months before budget time? The Sheriff has donated $461000.00 in LETF Money, that by law, could have gone towards Resourse Officers instead of donations to a golf tournament and etc. Plus, this seems like Morgan is using specific issues that he knows will upset parents. Maybe instead of $130,000+ for Lock Your Doors Billboards, the LETF Money should have been spent on Resource Officers or other allowable ECSO Expenses.

By your account, if money from the LET fund was put towards the SRO's, how would that solve the larger issue of the entire departments pay compression problem and lack of pay raises? I don't like the fact that some schools will be without SRO's but some areas of the county are without adequate patrol deputy coverage. The saying, "rob Peter to pay Paul" is what the agency is doing to survive. This entire issue has been in the works (entire pay compression/raises) for the last few years as the department negotiated with the County Administrator and the recent salary study. That's why the county agreed to pay for the salary study, to address the underfunding of the department. Once they started receiving initial reports that we (Sheriff's Office) are severely underfunded, they (County Administrator) cancelled the remainder of the report. We were actively negotiating since January, which is only 4 months into our last budget, so this isn't something that just started two weeks ago. The BOCC was aware of our dire needs and attrition rate but yet failed to act again, while throwing millions of dollars away, yearly, right in our own backyard but the citizens haven't raised their fuss about that. The goal of our agency management is to provide a decent paycheck to the employees who are on the front line protecting the citizens daily.

One of the first things I shared with my wife when I started here, almost 20 years ago, is the amount of calls for service and the crime that occurs is far above what you will ever read or hear about from the local news. If the common citizen actually knew the number of robberies, shootings and sexual assaults reported, they may just understand the need for retainment and well trained deputies to stay. Our patrol shifts are undermanned, which affects moral, officer safety and the ability to take precious time off to either spend with our family or work a side job to make ends meat. You think the cuts have ended.....no sir/ma'am, more are surely on the way. I've only heard rumor so without proof, it would be fair to say.

Be safe please, watch your partner's back and go home at the end of your shift, you're family depends on you.