Monroe County Councilors gave initial approval Tuesday to the sheriff’s office proposal to grant two records-division administrative coordinator positions a three-year step increase through the county’s KSA (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities) policy.

Jamie Yankee, office administrator for the sheriff’s office, said the records-2 typist positions require extensive on-the-job training and that the office recently lost two experienced employees, leaving the unit with only four staffers. Yankee said recruiting people with prior law-enforcement records experience is important because “it takes anywhere from 9 to 12 months to train the employees.” She said the proposed KSA steps are meant to make hiring competitive and reduce the lengthy training burden.

Councilor Hawk, who has been critical of KSAs elsewhere in the meeting, questioned the continued use of the KSA policy countywide and said the council should consider whether a pause or change in the policy is appropriate; several councilors agreed to discuss the policy further in a future Long-Term Finance Committee meeting. Councilor Deckard and others argued the positions are operationally important and that the county already uses the KSA policy in similar situations.

The roll-call vote on the proposed step increases was 6 to 1 in favor. Council rules require a second reading for the salary-ordinance change. Councilors said they want to revisit the countywide KSA policy in committee to consider equity and fiscal impacts but approved this request to minimize operational disruption in the sheriff’s office.

The motion was recorded as passing by majority and will return for final council action at the next meeting for the second reading.