Emmons County commissioners approve temporary pay plan for sheriff's deputies through April

Emmons County commissioners voted to accept a temporary pay arrangement proposed by Sheriff Sanders to compensate deputies while the department operates short-staffed. The board approved the plan by roll call, recording affirmative votes from Gardner, Miller, Batter, Meer and Merry.

Sheriff Sanders told the board his office is down multiple deputies and that staff have been working extended shifts. He said the proposal would pay a fixed supplement that he projects to be about "40% less than paying time and a half," and that money for the payment is already budgeted. "Our job are is much much different than so many other departments in the county," Sanders said, describing emergency-response obligations and the need for continuous coverage.

Commissioners who supported the motion said the arrangement is more predictable for budgeting than paying overtime, while several others pressed for accountability measures. The motion adopted includes a sunset date of April 27 and a request that the sheriff's department track the hours deputies work so the board can compare actual hours against the projection and re-evaluate in April.

Board members discussed alternatives including strict time tracking or paying overtime, and acknowledged uncertainty about how long staffing gaps will persist. Commissioners said a month-to-month assessment would allow the board to adjust if hires fill vacancies or if tracked hours show the supplement under- or over-compensates staff.

The motion was carried by roll call. The board is scheduled to revisit the issue at its April meeting, when March and April hours will be available for review.