Commissioners extend extra pay for sheriff’s office while staffing remains short

Emmons County commissioners voted to continue temporary additional compensation for the sheriff and chief deputy while the sheriff's office works to fill two licensed vacancies.

The board approved a motion to extend the arrangement, with commissioners agreeing to receive a report each month and to revisit the matter later this summer. The sheriff's office presented a summary of the last two months' hours and argued the extra pay offset overtime costs and helped maintain required services during staffing gaps.

Sheriff's-office staff described recruitment and training limits, saying, "I don't have anybody on the table that has got experience, license or licensable," and explained that training a candidate without experience would require substantial time from existing staff. Commissioners acknowledged both the financial cost and the operational need; one commissioner proposed a six-month continuation to give time for new hires to arrive and be trained.

Commissioner (motion-maker) said he preferred a six-month sunset but supported monthly check-ins; another commissioner asked for two-month or monthly reports so the board could track changes. A roll-call-style vote was taken and the motion carried.

The board directed staff to provide frequent updates on hiring progress and overtime hours so the commission can reassess the extra compensation if staffing improves.