By Terri Harber
Moscow-Pullman Daily News
MOSCOW, Idaho — Latah County Sheriff’s Department employees offered suggestions Monday about how commissioners could increase recruitment and retention of workers.
Many people who start off at the department soon move to another area law enforcement agency to make better money.
When it comes to pay, “we know we can’t compete,” said Cpl. Shane Anderson. “We don’t want to ask for something unattainable.”
But it might help to offer incentives for college education, extra duties and Idaho police training certificates.
Deputies Darren Duke and Nathan Reetz helped him write the report.
One recommendation would boost jail deputies’ pay equal to that of patrol deputies, and increase dispatchers’ pay to the current level of jail deputies.
Another would focus on education. Obtaining an associate’s degree would add 2 percent to base pay, while a bachelor’s would add 4 percent, plus the county would reimburse up to $1,000 a year for tuition.
This education incentive in Moscow, where there are two large public universities nearby, “would be a great way to recruit,” Anderson said.
Deputies who take on extra duties, such as SWAT, school resource officer and forest patrol, could get raises of between 1 percent and 4 percent, similar to what neighboring departments already offer, Anderson said.
He said obtaining the first three levels of the Peace Officer Standards and Training certification would add 1 percent to base pay for each level.
He said the county should pay overtime once a worker exceeds 160 hours in a given 28-day pay period, instead of after 173.33 hours.
Estimated annual cost could be $50,000, according to an assessment from the auditor’s office.
Most surrounding departments give overtime pay once an employee exceeds 40 hours in a week, he said, though Lewiston Police provide it once someone exceeds their work shift.
Providing compensation for holidays worked, such as time and a half, might also prove encouraging.
Other compensation forms on the list included a uniform boot allowance of $100 a year or $200 every two years.
“What would be No. 1 in your mind?” asked Commission Chair Dick Walser.
Anderson said he prefers offering pay incentives, particularly those that would encourage employees and would-be employees to pursue college degrees.
“We spend $30,000-$40,000 for training, then the city gets them,” said Commissioner Dave McGraw.
Patrol deputies at the Latah County Sheriff’s Department earn a starting hourly wage of $16.87. Moscow police earn $22.53 hourly to start, Nez Perce County deputies $18.72.
The pay gap is smaller but remains at the top levels of experience. Latah County patrol deputies get $23.37; Moscow police, $27.69; and Washington State University police $28.83.
Latah jail deputies make only $15.30; Nez Perce jail deputies $16.55. Those at full experience levels earn $21.09 an hour and $22.39 an hour, respectively.
Latah County dispatchers start at $14.45 an hour, Whitcom at $17.22, and Lewiston at $17.91.
“I see these as tools to attract and retain quality people,” said Commissioner Tom Lamar.
Members of the county’s Compensation Committee recommended raises for all county employees of 10 percent with a minimum raise of 5 percent, once the 2016 fiscal year begins Oct. 1.
Last month, Sheriff Wayne Rausch presented his $3.56 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year with the recommendation of 6 percent department-wide raises. The budget request included possibilities ranging up to 10 percent, however.
Walser also asked the clerk’s office for cost estimates to implement the other changes suggested.