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Sheriff asks board for higher pay grades, equipment replacements and dispatch upgrades as vacancies rise
Summary
Sheriff presented personnel proposals to raise justice-center deputy pay grades, add an intermediate step between deputy and sergeant, and budgeted for vehicles, body‑worn cameras, tasers and an East Grand Forks dispatch upgrade; commissioners discussed retention and regional dispatch options.
Sheriff’s office leadership presented a series of personnel and capital requests tied to recruitment and retention challenges.
Staff outlined a proposal to move justice‑center deputies from grade 11 to 13, estimated additional recurring cost (salary and benefits) and said the office is currently short four patrol-capable positions (three at the justice center and one in patrol). The sheriff recommended an additional step between Deputy 2 and sergeant to address internal compression, with cost estimates provided for moving sergeants from grade 15 to 16.
Capital and technology asks included replacement handguns with red-dot sights and holsters, new rifles and lights, replacement of aging tasers (with warranties), body‑worn cameras and in‑car storage, vehicle build-outs for six new squad vehicles and an enterprise-leased transit unit, and a request to fund an East Grand Forks dispatch upgrade (Motorola quote presented). The sheriff said many new hires are early-career officers who must complete multi‑month training before becoming independent.
Why it matters: commissioners noted local competition from city and state employers offering higher pay; the sheriff said certified combustor and boiler operators at the incinerator are also leaving for higher wages. The personnel proposals aim to improve retention but will increase the county’s personnel budget if approved.
Next steps: the board directed staff to incorporate these items in ongoing budget review and to continue contract negotiations; no final payroll-grade changes were adopted at this session.
