Supervisors approve pay-classification changes for part-time sheriff's staff to address liability and standardize wages

The Benton County Board of Supervisors on March 25 adopted Resolution 25-15, which amends an earlier action on part-time sheriff's wages and classifications (Resolution 24-52) and creates a standardized "utility deputy" classification for part-time and reserve personnel working for the sheriff's office.

The resolution directs the sheriff's office to consolidate part-time employees, reserve deputies and courthouse security staff into a pool titled "utility deputies," clarifies that utility deputies must be state-certified peace officers (or be in the process of reinstatement), and sets a consistent starting wage schedule for future hires. The sheriff's office told the board that existing employees will not have pay taken away; over time the standardization will reduce pay disparities for part-time staff.

The sheriff and staff explained several issues the change is intended to fix: some courthouse security workers were not recognized by the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy and were carrying personal firearms while acting in security duties; pay rates for part-time workers ranged widely (examples cited ranged from roughly $24 to $38 per hour); and administrative complexity made tracking step increases by hours worked difficult for payroll. The amendment keeps a modest shift differential (50 cents per hour evening weekday, 75 cents on weekends) to mirror part of the union language, but it removes union step increases for nonunion part-time hires.

Board members discussed liability and operational benefits, including using utility deputies for transports, courthouse security, traffic control at incidents and special events, thereby allowing full-time patrol deputies to remain on regular patrol. The sheriff noted that most affected staff are being reinstated with the academy and that fingerprints and other reinstatement steps were underway.

The resolution passed on a recorded voice vote with supervisors indicating "aye." The board directed the sheriff's office and county HR to implement the new classification immediately; supervisors said the change will go into effect upon approval so the county can begin to address liability and scheduling concerns.

Implementation details provided at the meeting: currently employed part-time staff who transition to utility deputy status will remain at existing pay levels immediately; new hires will come in at the fixed utility deputy starting rate (discussed at the meeting as $28.32 per hour before any countywide percentage increases) and, after July 1, will receive any countywide adjustment (for example a 3% increase) but will not receive union step increases assigned to full-time union deputies. The sheriff's office said the change should simplify payroll tracking and reduce liability associated with unaccredited security staff wearing civilian insignia and carrying personal weapons.

The board recorded the motion, second and a unanimous "aye" vote from the three supervisors present.