Sheriff’s deputies get new contract after three-year battle

Salary to increase more than 30 percent

By FRITZ MAYER

MONTICELLO, NY — Starting salaries for sheriff’s deputies jumped sharply under an agreement that was approved by the county legislature on December 27. Starting salary for a deputy, which was $29,531 jumped to $39,730 at the end of 2006 and will rise to $43, 976 by the end of 2007.

The announcement marked the end of a three-year period of negotiation between the Sullivan County Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association (PBA) and the legislature.

Deputies have long complained that they earn an average of 25 percent less than officers in nearby police departments, such as those in Fallsburg and Monticello. The agreement also includes retroactive pay increases and dental and vision coverage for the officers.

The agreement comes at a time of tight fiscal constraints on county lawmakers, but according to a press release from the legislature, the cost of the salary increases “has been budgeted and will be absorbed in the 2006 and 2007 budgets.” However, the statement added that in the long term, revenue from an increase in the sales tax would be needed to ensure fiscal stability at the department of public safety.

While the agreement will cost more money in salaries, this should be partially offset by the resulting declining turnover rate among new officers, which had been hovering around 40 percent. Legislator Elwin Wood, chairman of the personnel committee, said, “While this agreement will cost a significant amount in 2006 and 2007, I believe in the long run this agreement will save the county money, because we will no longer be paying the expense of hiring and training new deputies, only to lose them to other departments.” The cost for training an officer is estimated to run about $50,000.

County manager David Fanslau released a statement that said, “This agreement represents a commitment by the county to place a priority on public safety services. The sheriff’s road patrol deputies are an integral part of that public safety priority. The agreement results in salaries that will enable Sullivan County to recruit and retain dedicated, qualified deputies to the benefit of Sullivan County.”

PBA president Paul Slavik said, “This has been a long, hard road with many differences of opinions on both sides. We have agreed to work together, side by side now and in the future, to make Sullivan County the safest and strongest it can be.”