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Lawrence County approves 3½-year contract with detectives union to boost recruitment
Summary
The Lawrence County Board of Commissioners approved a three-year-and-six-month collective bargaining agreement with the Lawrence County Detectives Association beginning June 1, 2025, adjusting base pay to aid recruitment while limiting annual cost-of-living increases.
The Lawrence County Board of Commissioners on June 10 approved a collective bargaining agreement with the Lawrence County Detectives Association that runs June 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2028.
County Solicitor Madore told commissioners the detectives unit handles criminal and drug task-force investigations and has federal partnerships that require highly experienced personnel. He said the agreement raises starting salaries to be competitive with other agencies and, in exchange, provides a smaller annual adjustment: “you will only see a 1% cost of living increase, but it's because of the the higher base rate in order to recruit and retain.”
The nut graf: Commissioners and county officials said the higher base pay is intended to attract detectives with prior law-enforcement experience needed for work detailed to federal partners such as the DEA, and the contract was opened early to speed hiring.
During discussion County Administrator Joe Venasco and Madore described the unit as specialized and small; Madore said the association’s status enables partnerships with the FBI and DEA. Madore said the contract language originally contained a typographical error on dates; the resolution was amended on the record to read a three-year-and-six-month term commencing June 1, 2025, and terminating Dec. 31, 2028. Venasco said the contract was opened six months early to help recruitment. Commissioner Kennedy and other commissioners spoke in support of the agreement, noting the value of experienced staff for specialized investigations.
Formal actions: Commissioners moved to take resolution 2025-111 off the table, then voted to approve the amended collective bargaining agreement. A roll call recorded all present commissioners voting yes and the motion carried.
The agreement keeps other contract provisions largely unchanged while prioritizing higher starting pay; officials said the change addresses retention and recruitment pressures for detectives who often arrive with years of prior experience. The board did not specify dollar amounts for base-salary changes in the public discussion. The county solicitor said he will correct the resolution text upstairs to reflect the amended start date.
The board scheduled no further public debate on this item; the amended resolution was approved by roll call and the meeting moved to other business.
