Seward County board approves pay increase for jail correction officers

The Seward County Board of Commissioners on June 16 approved an increase in the county jail starting wage to $25 per hour and a 2% across-the-board increase, with up to a 2% merit increase after one year for newly hired corrections officers.

Detention Center Director Sara Stenger and Deputy Director Andrew Truslow presented an updated step-pay proposal that initially requested a $3-per-hour increase and a $1.50-per-hour shift differential as ways to improve employee retention. Chairperson Misty Ahmic said she reviewed comparative data from southeast Nebraska counties and recommended setting the starting wage at $25 per hour with the 2% standard raise and potential merit step for new hires. The board decided not to increase the shift differential beyond the current $0.75 per hour.

Commissioner Darrell Zabrocki moved the motion, Commissioner Raegan Hain seconded it, and the motion carried with Zabrocki, Hain and Ahmic voting to approve and Commissioner Scott Pekarek voting no. The minutes record that existing correction officers will receive an increase of $2.13 per hour, plus any merit, effective July 1; new hires will start at $25 per hour and may receive a 2% merit adjustment after one year.

County officials said the change was informed by data from comparable counties in the southeast district and was intended to address hard-to-fill positions while remaining mindful of budget constraints. The minutes note that general wages were adjusted last year and that policy limits routine adjustments to every three years except for targeted changes to hard-to-fill roles.

The board’s action was recorded in the meeting minutes and will be implemented beginning July 1, 2026.