Rowan County authorizes 30‑day special overtime pay for sheriff’s jail and patrol; commissioners seek longer-term staffing plan

Rowan County commissioners voted to approve a 30‑day, short‑term exception to the county’s overtime policy for the sheriff’s jail and patrol units, allowing paid overtime in circumstances where county pay rules would otherwise provide comp time.

County staff described the request as necessary to maintain statutorily required minimum staffing in the county detention center and to ensure patrol coverage. A sheriff’s office representative said, "We are roughly I checked today at 01:00. We're about 22 positions short in the entire sheriff's office," adding that roughly 10 to 11 vacancies affect detention and a similar number affect patrol and other criminal-side duties.

Staff explained why the department has returned monthly to seek approval. The sheriff’s office said the requested overtime will use lapse‑salary funds (savings from vacant positions) already budgeted for salaries and is not a request for additional appropriation. The staff member described a technical pay-period issue for law‑enforcement employees covered by the 28‑day (171‑hour) work period under federal rules: if an officer takes scheduled vacation or sick leave within that 28‑day cycle, the hours may prevent the officer from reaching the threshold for overtime pay; the requested exception would allow paid overtime (time‑and‑a‑half) when officers sign up to pick up vacant shifts even if they had taken vacation earlier in the cycle.

Commissioners raised concerns about opening the exception countywide and asked whether the change would create precedent for other departments. One commissioner said they were comfortable approving the exception for detention because minimum staffing there is set by law; others said patrol coverage also faces shortages and may require the same exception. The board asked county staff, the sheriff, and human resources to develop a longer-term solution and to return with details on potential liability and budget impacts.

Staff noted upcoming training will temporarily reduce detention staffing: six current detention officers are scheduled to begin basic law enforcement training in early July, which will increase short‑term vacancies in detention. Commissioners who supported the 30‑day approval characterized it as a bandage to avoid service disruptions while long‑term options are developed.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the detention center’s minimum staffing requirements create an immediate need for coverage; the overtime exception is intended to keep the jail and patrol functioning while county leaders and the sheriff seek sustainable staffing and scheduling fixes.

What’s next: The board approved the 30‑day exception with the agreement that county staff, human resources and the sheriff will meet to prepare a longer-term staffing and pay policy recommendation for the commission.