Carter County approves jail employee bonuses and pay raises, funds communications position

Carter County commissioners approved a series of personnel and budget measures affecting jail and law‑enforcement operations on Feb. 22.

The board authorized bonuses for sheriff and jail personnel — $3,000 for full‑time employees and $1,500 for part‑time employees working 20 or more hours per pay period — retroactive to Oct. 1, 2021, with funding to come from existing expense lines. The motion, moved by Aaron Frazier and seconded by Julie Guinn, passed 19-1-1; Commissioner Sonja Culler voted no and Commissioner Isaiah Grindstaff abstained.

Separately, commissioners approved an immediate $1,000 annual raise for full‑time corrections officers (jailers) on a motion by Aaron Frazier and seconded by Mark Blevins; the measure passed with 20 yes votes and one abstention (Isaiah Grindstaff).

The commission also appropriated $80,000 previously reserved to fund a new Communications officer position (salary $60,000 and $20,000 for benefits). The job description was read during the meeting; the appropriation passed with 17 yes, 3 no (including Chairwoman Ginger Holdren), and one abstention (Charles Von Cannon). Officials said the money had already been set aside and would come from existing reserves.

Finally, on a motion by Aaron Frazier seconded by Mark Blevins, the commission approved up to $70,000 from a committed public‑safety reserve for Wi‑Fi hotspots, communications equipment and night‑vision gear for the Sheriff’s Department; that motion passed unanimously. The agenda item noted the action followed a recent shooting in Roan Mountain.

Commissioners stated funding would come from already‑budgeted lines or committed reserves; no new tax or Fund Balance draw was approved during these actions.