Commissioners approve one-time overtime pay after court coverage shortage

Thurston County commissioners on April 22 approved a one-time payment to six deputies who covered court details on April 14 when the sheriff’s office lacked corrections staff. County staff described the event as an unusual, "perfect storm" of four in-custody trials that required deputy coverage.

Sheriff Sanders told commissioners the courts notified the sheriff’s office two Fridays earlier that several in-custody trials were scheduled and the department did not have corrections deputies available. The county opened the detail to patrol deputies who volunteered; six patrol deputies worked the detail. County HR advised that the standard compensation for the corrections bargaining unit for such details is double time under a separate memorandum of understanding. Patrol deputies do not have the same MOU provision.

The board voted to authorize a one-time supplemental payment that brings total additional compensation to $1,653 above time-and-a-half for the deputies who worked the April 14 court details. Commissioners and county HR said the action is a time-sensitive measure intended to compensate deputies who stepped in and to allow HR and the unions to convene to resolve cross-bargaining-unit issues.

County Manager and HR staff said the expenditure will be charged to the corrections bureau’s budget. Commissioners directed staff to meet with unions (patrol and corrections) and Superior Court to identify operational improvements for advance notice and coverage, and to develop a plan to reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

Sheriff Sanders said the department will continue to work with HR and the courts to refine notification and staffing procedures.