County will add half-time jailer

Whitman County commissioners Monday approved a new half-time position at the county jail even though there was a snag about the number of hours that will be offered for the position.

When Sheriff Brett Myers approached the commissioners last week, he indicated the job would entail 69 hours a month without benefits.

If an employee works more than 69 hours, the county pay must allow for retirement benefits.

However, commissioners this Monday were asked to approve the position for 79 hours plus benefits.

“We were told 69 hours with no benefits,” Commissioner Art Swannack said Monday. Commissioners Dean Kinzer and Michael Largent agreed.

“We need more time to sort this all out,” Largent said.

After discussion, the commissioners approved the new position at 69 hours.

Myers told commissioners last week that with an increased jail population, he needed additional help. He had to consolidate part-time positions to full time and with just 13 full-time staff, it’s increasingly difficult to give any one time off.

Myers told commissioners that he calculated the sheriff’s department would have to pay 828 hours in overtime if no position was added, amounting to $21,000 in overtime hours. A part-time position would cost about $14,000, without benefits, saving approximately $6,000.

“We want 79 hours,” Myers said on Tuesday. “It was a clerical misunderstanding and it’s easily remedied.

“Our primary intent is to plug a gap with as much cost savings as possible. There’s still a savings but not quite as much,” he said.

Myers said they will start the position at 69 hours and then ask for another hearing before the commissioners to increase the hours to 79.

“It’s a paperwork procedure,” he said.