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Budget committee approves sheriff's retention bonus plan, ties payout to anticipated rollover
Summary
Facing staffing losses, the sheriff proposed a one-time retention bonus funded from expected unspent rollover; the committee approved the plan but asked staff to re-evaluate funding in June if the actual rollover is lower than anticipated.
The Anderson County Budget Committee approved a sheriff-proposed one-time retention bonus for deputies, to be funded from anticipated unspent rollover funds, to help address recent departures in dispatch, school resource officer and patrol positions.
Sheriff Barker said the office expects more than $800,000 in unspent funds and proposed using a portion to fund a retention bonus (the sheriff estimated the proposal would cost roughly $560,000). "We're wanting to do a one-time retention bonus for our current deputies," the sheriff said, and added the money would not be paid until after the new budget year to encourage employees to remain with the department.
Debate and amendment attempt: some commissioners supported a targeted bonus only for patrol and jail staff. An amendment to limit payouts to lieutenant-and-below (excluding administration/captains) was moved and seconded but failed on a recorded hand vote. Commissioners who opposed the amendment said leadership and fairness arguments favored including the whole department, while supporters of the amendment said limited funds should focus on positions that are driving turnover.
Final action and conditions: the original retention-bonus plan was approved by the committee with one abstention; commissioners asked that the funding level be re-evaluated in June based on the actual rollover amount before final payout. The sheriff and staff said the bonus structure and distribution details would be adjusted if the rollover is lower than projected.
What happens next: staff will monitor year-end rollover and return to the commission with final figures; if the rollover is smaller than anticipated the bonus amounts may be reduced or restructured.
