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Sheriff's office asks board to shift longevity pay schedule to improve retention; commissioners ask for funding and reporting details
Summary
The sheriff's office asked the board to move longevity pay earlier in the service timeline (from 15/20/25 to 10/15/20 years) to remain competitive with neighboring agencies; commissioners supported placing the item on a business meeting and requested financial impact and follow-up reporting.
Kootenai County Sheriff's Office urged the Board of County Commissioners to change longevity pay so deputies and other staff begin receiving incremental longevity earlier in their careers, and commissioners directed staff to place the proposal on a business meeting with financial details for formal action.
Captain Kevin Smart and other sheriff's office representatives said neighboring agencies have moved to earlier senior or longevity pay—citing Post Falls, Coeur d'Alene and Ada County—and argued that starting longevity earlier (request to shift county schedule from 15/20/25 years to 10/15/20 years) would aid recruitment and retention. Smart said the change is about competitiveness and noted the office currently shows four vacancies with additional staff in training.
Commissioners expressed support in principle. Several asked that the sheriff's office provide a staffing-pipeline illustration and a detailed financial analysis, and the board directed county finance staff (Brandy) to clarify whether funds should remain in the BOCC fund or be moved to the sheriff's budget. The board did not take an immediate formal vote at the HR meeting and asked staff to add the item to an upcoming business meeting for action and to provide periodic reporting on what taxpayers receive for law-enforcement expenditures.
