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Sheriff seeks personnel reclassifications and county sign-off on extra-duty pay to shore up deputy staffing
Summary
Chilton County Sheriff asked the commission to reclassify two staff to deputy positions, approve extra-duty employment agreements to allow deputies to earn outside pay (with ethics sign-off), and said the income would contribute to retirement and retention; commissioners indicated the items will be brought as resolutions.
Chilton County Sheriff requested that the commission reclassify two corrections staff to deputy status and approve a county resolution allowing deputies to perform extra‑duty employment for pay, which the sheriff said would help address weekend staffing shortages.
Sheriff Samuel Blackman (introduced from the dais) told commissioners he will ask for a resolution to reclassify Samuel Blackman (from corrections officer to deputy sheriff) and reclassify Deputy Colin McDaniel to a part‑time role so McDaniel can perform other work while remaining part time with the office. The sheriff also said he would ask the commission to approve a resolution authorizing extra‑duty employment, which he described as deputies working privately contracted events ("working a racetrack, a wedding") where county deputies provide security and the pay is remitted to the commission.
The sheriff said he had consulted the state ethics commission, which told him the practice is acceptable provided work agreements and required documents are in place. He argued extra‑duty pay would "help retention" amid a staffing shortfall; he said the department was about five deputies short and had a night shift recently with only two deputies.
The sheriff also told the commission that extra‑duty pay would be eligible for retirement contributions and therefore could aid deputies' long‑term benefits.
Why it matters: The sheriff framed the request as a response to persistent staffing pressures that affect weekend coverage and response capacity. Allowing deputies to earn extra pay on off‑duty contracts is a retention tool some counties use; the sheriff said the ethics commission had cleared the approach contingent on proper work agreements.
Next steps and formal action: The sheriff said he would bring formal resolutions to the commission "tonight or tomorrow night"; the meeting record shows the sheriff presented the items and discussed ethics clearance but no formal vote or recorded resolution was taken during the session.
