Quorum Court fast-tracks pay-rule change so sheriff can hire experienced deputies after departures

The Craighead County Quorum Court on Sept. 22 adopted an emergency amendment to the county salary administration policy to let the sheriff and the county detention center hire personnel with verifiable experience at the salary midpoint.

The item began with a first reading; during public comment Matt Redman asked about the nature of the Emergency Clause and the suspension of rules. Justice Barry Forrest explained that the county had lost four sheriff deputies to the Arkansas State Police and one deputy to retirement that month, creating immediate staffing gaps.

Sheriff Boyd told the court that the sheriff’s office expects five deputy openings within 30 days and plans to interview candidates with up to 10 years of experience. He said that, under current policy, such candidates would be hired at about $6,000 less than the proposed midpoint, and estimated starting pay under the amended policy would be around $52,800 compared with Arkansas State Police starting pay of about $72,000.

The court voted to suspend the rules to put the ordinance on second reading and then third reading; each reading was done by title only. A motion to approve was adopted and the ordinance passed with all present in favor, according to the minutes.

The minutes record no further operational details such as the exact new midpoint amount or a hiring timeline beyond the sheriff's statement about expected openings. The court adjourned at 5:55 p.m.