Fairfield approves sheriff overtime contract to boost enforcement amid construction traffic

Fairfield’s council voted to authorize an overtime contract with the county sheriff on Nov. 12 to add patrol hours aimed at reducing speeding and construction‑related truck traffic through town. The motion, made by Speaker 2 and seconded by Speaker 4, carried on a recorded roll call.

The sheriff (Speaker 4) told the council he currently provides five dedicated hours per week of local coverage under the existing contract and 24‑hour county coverage overall. To add dedicated enforcement he outlined three options: hire a full‑time 40‑hour deputy (quoted at about $210,000 a year), split a position with a neighboring jurisdiction, or purchase overtime at roughly $90 per hour (about $100/hour for a supervisor). He estimated an additional five hours per week would cost roughly $2,000 per month.

“The five extra hours would be dedicated to Fairfield and nothing else,” Speaker 4 said when describing what additional paid hours would provide. Council members said the pattern of trucks ignoring detour signage and using Fairfield streets while nearby intersections are closed is the core problem; they discussed temporary measures including signage, stop signs or a three‑way stop, and brief enforcement trials before committing to a long‑term schedule.

Council members emphasized flexibility: the contract can be used month‑to‑month, and the sheriff indicated there is a minimum two‑hour billing increment. The council approved the contract without specifying a fixed hourly commitment that night, and staff said they would confirm contract cancellation terms (the sheriff noted earlier that a 10‑day notice may apply).

The contract vote was procedural to give staff authority to schedule overtime patrols during the period when nearby road closures are expected to increase heavy truck traffic through Fairfield.