Committee approves tentative labor agreements for deputy sheriffs, court officers and lieutenants

The Chautauqua County Administrative Services Committee on Aug. 18 approved three member‑approved tentative labor agreements covering deputy sheriffs, part‑time deputies and court officers, and the lieutenants' unit.

Debbie Makowski, director of human resources, summarized the three agreements and their membership counts. She said the Deputy Sheriff Association of Chautauqua County (DSAC) represents 67 members including deputy sheriffs, crime‑scene analysts, investigators and deputy sergeants who staff patrol and specialty units. "We do have a member approved tentative agreement with DSAC," Makowski said, adding that roughly 55% of DSAC membership participated in the ratification vote and 100% of those who voted approved the agreement.

Makowski said the DSAC tentative agreement eliminates some incremental steps in the pay scale, adjusts the top step to improve retention and is a multi‑year contract with an annual wage adjustment. She described the packetized negotiation results as intended to aid recruitment and retention and to reduce administrative friction.

Kitty Crowe, director of finance, described the county's fiscal planning around the DSAC agreement. Crowe said that, if the DSAC agreement is approved and incorporated into the county budget, the result for 2026 would be about $740,000 relative to the county's five‑year projection but that incorporating the agreed wage table into the tentative budget gives finance staff room to make offsetting adjustments. "Allowing us to incorporate the new wage table into the tentative budget allows us to make other adjustments to offset those costs," Crowe said.

The committee then approved a tentative agreement with CSEA unit 6322, described by Makowski as the county's part‑time deputy sheriffs and court officers who handle building and court security. CSEA unit 6322 has 33 members; 24 participated in the ratification vote (about 73% participation) and Makowski said 100% of participating members voted yes. Key points for the unit include a one‑time $500 bonus, a four‑year agreement, an initial 2026 hourly adjustment and 2.5% increases in the remaining contract years. Makowski noted that the bulk of the cost for this group is reimbursed by the state Office of Court Administration, which should limit 2026 budgetary impact.

Makowski also presented a tentative agreement with the lieutenant group (CCSSA). CCSSA has seven members; all seven participated in the ratification vote and approved the tentative agreement. The committee heard that the first‑year adjustment addresses wage compression between lieutenants and their direct reports and that the contract includes additional multi‑year increases (staff said 4% in years 2027–2029) and clarifying contractual language to reduce administrative burden.

Committee members expressed support for the agreements, noting competitiveness with neighboring agencies and the importance of retention and recruitment. The DSAC motion passed by voice vote; the motions to approve the CSEA 6322 and CCSSA agreements also passed, with one legislator recorded as opposed on each of those latter two items. Committee members thanked staff for preparing late resolutions so wage tables could be included in the tentative county budget.

Actions taken at the meeting allow county staff to incorporate the agreed wage tables into the tentative 2026 budget and to proceed with the formal contract execution process.