Bee County approves 12-hour rotating shifts, converts unused jailer post to patrol sergeant

Bee County Commissioners Court on Jan. 13 approved a resolution allowing the sheriff’s office to use a 12‑hour rotating shift schedule under the Fair Labor Standards Act exception for law enforcement (FLSA 207(k)), and approved converting an unused jail cook position into a patrol sergeant post.

The change is aimed at reducing heavy overtime costs and improving round‑the‑clock coverage, the sheriff’s office told the court. "What we what we've come up with is a plan, to follow, FLSA 207 k for law enforcement, to allow the sheriff's patrol and the jail to work 12 hour rotating shifts," Chief Deputy Russell Clark told commissioners. Officials said the shift plan should increase minimum staffing and let deputies have every other weekend off on a rotating basis.

The court also approved a personnel reclassification so an unused cook/jailer slot in department 566 will be converted to a needed patrol sergeant in department 565; commissioners were told enough salary savings exist in the current fiscal year to cover the change and that the sheriff’s office will seek full funding for the position in the 2026 budget. "We request that this position would be fully funded in the 2026 budget," the sheriff told the court while staff explained the accounting worksheet attached to the agenda.

County HR and payroll staff said the plan will require updated time sheets and payroll processing; the sheriff’s office indicated an implementation target for the shift schedule of Jan. 26, 2025. Commissioners approved both items by voice vote. The court asked the sheriff to return if the schedule proves ineffective so the court can reconsider.