Custer County commissioners approve pay adjustments, buy three patrol vehicles and accept $49,250 forest‑mitigation chipper grant

The Custer County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 13 approved a series of personnel, public‑safety and capital actions, including pay adjustments to address wage compression, the purchase and lease financing of three patrol vehicles, and acceptance of a $49,250 state grant to buy a tow‑behind chipper for neighborhood wildfire mitigation.

Why it matters: The actions move county staffing and fleet toward a multi‑year replacement plan, provide a new equipment tool for community fuel‑reduction work tied to local volunteer programs, and reallocate reserve funds the board says were previously earmarked but not moved into the proper accounts.

The board approved a one‑time series of pay adjustments intended to reduce internal compression in several departments. Human Resources Director Robert Smith told commissioners he had identified positions where long‑tenured employees earned less than more recently hired staff in comparable roles. The board approved adjustments totaling $34,320.20; the increases will be reflected in departmental budgets and funded from cash reserves. Commissioner Lucas, Commissioner Paul and Commissioner Candace voted in favor.

Public safety and fleet: Sheriff’s staff presented a plan to buy three 2020 heavy‑duty Chevrolet police pickups being offered at a substantial discount due to hail damage, outfit them for patrol and phase out several higher‑mileage vehicles in the current fleet. The board authorized the county to acquire three new vehicles through a five‑year lease (the county will own the vehicles at lease end) with an estimated annual payment of about $26,004.22 and directed staff to market and sell selected surplus vehicles to offset payments. Commissioners moved and seconded the purchase and sale plan and voted to approve it.…