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Commission authorizes MOU with public employees union amid debate over arbitration and wages
Summary
Park County commissioners voted to enter an MOU with the Montana Federation of Public Employees over an expired sheriff’s contract while deputies urged arbitration to resolve wages; commissioners said they prefer continued negotiations and scheduled further meetings to examine budget implications.
Park County commissioners agreed Jan. 13 to enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Montana Federation of Public Employees as the sheriff’s office and union continue bargaining over wages and contract terms.
Craig Rhodes, deputy with the sheriff’s office, told the commission that the department’s contract for detention and patrol expired June 30, 2025, and that the deputies believe arbitration is necessary to resolve wages and bring certainty. Rhodes said the department wants the process completed more quickly and described arbitration as the mechanism that can finalize wages if negotiations stall.
Sheriff Tad Dykstra and other deputies spoke about staffing pressures and rising call volumes; one county resident and another public commenter urged the commission to consider livable-wage figures and the county’s staffing needs.
Some commissioners expressed reluctance to enter arbitration immediately, noting the county’s constrained finances and the possibility that arbitration could lead to awards the county cannot afford. Commissioners and staff discussed alternative approaches: continuing negotiation during arbitration, phasing raises, or structuring increases later in a contract term to reduce near-term budget impacts. One commissioner said staff would meet to review budget projections and projected incomes before finalizing offers.
The board voted by voice to enter the MOU and directed staff to schedule additional meetings, including a public work session with union representatives to try to negotiate prior to arbitration. Commissioners cautioned the public that arbitration could be a lengthy process and that negotiations might continue even if arbitration is initiated.
