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Cowlitz County to consider signing and retention bonuses for corrections officers amid staffing crisis
Summary
The corrections director presented a memorandum of understanding proposing $6,000 signing bonuses for inexperienced new hires, $8,000 for lateral hires and $8,000 retention bonuses split over two years for current officers; staff estimated a $136,000 cost in 2025 and 2026 and said the program aims to reduce overtime and temporary staffing costs.
Cowlitz County corrections leadership asked commissioners to place a memorandum of understanding with the corrections officers’ guild on the consent agenda that would provide signing and retention bonuses to address persistent staffing shortages.
Marin Fox, corrections director, said the MOU outlines $6,000 signing bonuses for new hires without prior corrections experience and $8,000 for lateral hires (those with academy experience). Current corrections officers who have completed probation would be eligible for an $8,000 retention bonus split across two years ($4,000 each year). Signing bonuses would be paid…
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