Sheriff Proposes Pay Changes as Deputies Leave Perry County

Sheriff Dave Faulkenberg informed the Perry County Council on November 20 that the sheriff´s office is facing a wave of resignations and laid out a proposal to redesign pay and incentives aimed at keeping deputies on the force. The presentation came after several officers left in a short time span, creating immediate staffing pressures for patrol assignments and other essential services.

Faulkenberg outlined a package of measures that would include retention bonuses, step increases tied to tenure, and recruitment incentives to attract and hold qualified candidates. He emphasized that the changes are intended to address both the recent departures and underlying pay structures that may be contributing to turnover. Council members engaged in detailed discussion about the fiscal impact of the proposals and the need to balance public safety priorities with county budget constraints.

During the meeting council members focused on possible short term actions that could stabilize staffing levels while commissioners and county administrators study longer term compensation reforms. Those interim approaches included reassessing current overtime practices, temporarily reallocating personnel from non critical duties, and accelerating hiring efforts. No final decisions were made on the pay package at the meeting, and council members asked for more detailed cost estimates and implementation scenarios before committing to permanent changes.

The personnel changes and the proposed compensation redesign carry direct implications for Perry County residents. Reduced staffing can affect routine patrol coverage, response times to calls for service, and the ability of the sheriff´s office to sustain community policing programs. The potential addition of retention bonuses and tenure based step increases would likely increase the sheriff´s office payroll in the near term, requiring the county to identify funding sources or reallocate existing resources.

County leadership said they will continue to review data and consult with the sheriff´s office on the scope and timing of any compensation adjustments. The council´s next steps include receiving detailed budget projections and exploring grant or state funding options that could offset personnel costs. Meanwhile the sheriff´s office faces the immediate task of filling vacancies and maintaining operational readiness.

For Perry County voters and taxpayers, the council´s response will determine how quickly the sheriff´s office can restore staffing stability and what financial trade offs the county may accept to retain experienced deputies. The discussion highlights the challenge local governments face when personnel shortages intersect with constrained budgets and community expectations for public safety.