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Board approves $240-per-pay-period night-shift incentive for permanently assigned detention officers
Summary
To help staffing and reduce turnover, Craven County amended its personnel resolution to pay $240 per pay period to up to eight detention officers permanently assigned to night shift; commissioners asked for broader pay-study follow-up as vacancies remain high.
The Craven County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 17 approved an amendment to the county’s personnel resolution to add a $240 per pay period incentive for detention officers and supervisors permanently assigned to night shift.
Mrs. Parker presented the proposal, saying rotating staff between day and night shifts undermines routine and has contributed to recruitment and retention problems at the detention center. She told commissioners the jail has experienced chronic turnover; over the past reporting period the county processed roughly 106 terminations across about 43 detention positions and the department regularly had about 20 vacancies. Parker said the board-approved retention bonuses paid at one year have not been effective because many hires do not stay long enough to receive them.
The requested amendment would apply a flat $240 per pay period to each permanently night-assigned detention employee. The sheriff or chief jailer would permanently assign six to eight employees; Parker said the annual salary-and-benefits cost per assigned position is $8,068, for up to eight positions (total annual cost $64,544). For the remainder of the current fiscal year (eight pay periods), the one-time cost would be $19,860 and the detention budget can cover that from lapsed salaries, Parker said.
Commissioners discussed whether incentives should also be expanded to day shift and asked staff to proceed with a broader classification and compensation study currently out for proposals. Sheriff and detention leadership said night positions are the hardest to fill and that a stable night crew could reduce the need for rotating staff and overtime. The board approved the amendment by roll call with no recorded dissent.
Staff will implement the incentive by directing the sheriff/chief jailer to identify permanently assigned night positions, update payroll, and report back with vacancy and retention metrics as the pay differential is applied.
