‘Packed house’ cause of call for part-time jailer

Whitman County Sheriff Brett Myers told county commissioners Monday morning that he needs to add a part-time jail position as soon as possible.

With an increased jail population, Myers said he had to consolidate part-time positions to full time. He now has 13 corrections officers on staff.

“We have a packed house,” he said. “It’s really difficult to give time off.”

Myers calculates that without the addition of a part-time employee, the department will have to pay 828 hours of overtime amounting to $21,000 in overtime hours.

A part-time position could cost a little more than $14,000, a savings...