Holt County law enforcement wages increase

Holt County law enforcement personnel will see an increase in wages, following approval on Jan. 16 by the Holt County Board of Supervisors.

Holt County Sheriff Ben Matchett presented data about the department's merit pay schedule, comparing the wage plan set ˆin motion from 2022 through 2025.

Matchett proposed an increase to $32.99 for the chief deputy and $31.69 for the sergeant.

"That's $6 over the course of three years and then merit pay," Matchett said.

Supervisor Bill Tielke asked how guidelines were established for the evaluation.

Matchett said the department uses a specific form, coupled with a set of guidelines. A scoring system with ratings of one through seven is used.

"It's based upon the Phoenix model, what field training officers will use when they evaluate using daily observation reports. It's also used and implemented to do annual reports," Matchett added.

The sheriff said he has used the form for field training activities and said it's a good process.

Tielke asked if the evaluation form removes some of the human factor.

"It does a good job of that," Matchett said. "That's why we have more than one person do the evaluation. We average it."

Tielke said he believes officer retention has improved since the system has been implemented.

"It's been excellent. We're very fortunate that we haven't been short staffed. We're one of the few sheriff's offices that hasn't gone through that," the sheriff noted.

Supervisor Doug Frahm asked if the sheriff expected changes to the process next year. Matchett said he expects to complete the wage evaluation again.

"Are we the highest paying in the state? We're not, but at least we'll be competitive and retain people," Matchett said.

Matchett proposed a dollar increase for jailers, which would increase the wage to $21.65.

"Again, we're looking at trying to retain jailers and we're looking at trying to get new applicants. We've hired a lot of people. I think the reason why there is interest is because wages are up," Matchett said.

The sheriff proposed restructuring staffing to include one lieutenant, one sergeant and one corporal. Matchett recommended increasing the lieutenant wage by $1 more than the sergeant's wage.

"I think things will work better, be more streamlined, if we have a five-point chain of command," Matchett said.

Part-time deputies will receive $23 per hour. Matchett reminded supervisors that those wages come out of the contract law enforcement budget instead of the sheriff's budget.

" A lot of places are paying between $28 and $30 per hour for part time. I think we need to start working that up," he said.

The number of hours worked is on an as-needed basis.

In other business, supervisors:

• Held a phone conference with NextLink regarding broadband services.

• Authorized Tielke to sign a permitting letter with VRDG, LLC. The approval came after heated debate, which included another phone conference with Holt County Attorney Brent Kelly and VRDG, LLC attorney David Levy.

• Toured the administration building.

• Approved Jan. 9 as a floating holiday for employees who worked on what was designated as a National Day of Mourning.