On Monday, Feb. 22, Fayette County Sheriff Mike Fridley presented the Fayette County Commission with the Sheriff’s Department’s annual budget, which included a $100 a month pay increase for all department employees. The budget will cover costs from July 2021 to July 2022.
According to Sheriff Fridley, the pay increase would apply to the department’s 52 employees, including deputy sheriffs, secretaries and tax deputies.
Sheriff Fridley told Lootpress that he believes his department deserves the raise because they work hard and have made big strides in the county.
“I know taxes are down, but still it is hard to retain law enforcement officers,” he said, adding that he has already lost two deputies to larger departments.
“It’s a very competitive field and with what is going on in the world today, a lot of people don’t want to be police officers. We answer a lot of calls of service from the community. This isn’t just about a pay raise. This department has done an outstanding job, and this is a way to reward them for their great work.”
If approved, the pay raise will cost Fayette County an additional $74,000 a year; however, 23 deputy sheriffs are paid from law levies, meaning the county is not responsible to pay for their yearly wages, according to Sheriff Fridley.
During his budget presentation, Sheriff Fridley also requested a budget increase to purchase newer vehicles and equipment and a budget increase to allow his department two additional sergeant positions.
The Fayette County Commission will make a decision on the department’s proposed 2021-2022 budget in the coming weeks.
