Elbert County commissioners approve sheriff's office collective bargaining agreement

The Elbert County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve the sheriff's office collective bargaining agreement after moving the item from discussion to action at the meeting.

Todd Collins, attorney for the Elbert County Sheriff's Office, said, "The CBA that's been negotiated, it's fair for the deputies. The deputies have accepted it. They've approved it." Collins told the board the union ratified the agreement before the board's consideration.

During discussion, at least one speaker warned the agreement could lead to additional legal costs tied to disputes between the county and the sheriff's office; that speaker said the litigation could exceed any short-term fiscal benefits. Commissioners debated whether they had adequate time to review a final document; one commissioner said they had not been provided a final copy and asked that approval be delayed for review. The board ultimately moved the item to an action item and then approved the agreement.

The meeting record does not show a roll-call vote with member names attached; the board chair announced, "All in favor?" and the motion carried.

The county's attorney status had been questioned earlier in the meeting by public commenters; the chair responded that the county had contracted with an outside attorney and a firm and that a contract was in place while details were finalized. The CBA approval was recorded as an affirmative board action during the meeting.