Sheriff's staff will get raises

LISBON -- Columbiana County Sheriff Dave Smith says he'll go along with a fact-finder's recommendation that sheriff's employees get a 3.5 percent pay increase in 2002.
The fact-finder's report recommended the increase after the sheriff and deputies union reached a stalemate in negotiations.
The sheriff was willing to grant 3 percent increases, but the union wanted 4.5 percent.
The 3.5 percent increase already has been approved by employees, Smith said today.
About 23 deputies and clerical staff members will be affected by the pay boost, which takes effect in January.
The increase comes in the second year of a three-year contract that began Jan. 1, 2001, and granted employees a 4.5 percent pay increase.
Contained in the contract was a clause to renegotiate wages for 2002 and 2003.
The fact-finder's recommendation calls for 2003 wage negotiations to being no later than October.
The 3.5 percent increase for 2002 will cost the county about $32,000 more in payroll.
With the pay boost in effect, a deputy with one year's experience will make about $23,846 annually. A deputy at the top of the pay scale will earn $34,397.