LEC staff may be changed to hourly wage
Much of Monday’s regular meeting of the Shackelford County commissioners was spent discussing a possible change in the way jailers and dispatchers are paid.
Sheriff Ed Miller requested that his LEC staff be “transitioned” from being paid on a salary basis to an hourly wage.
“We’re short-staffed, and with the way we have to pay them for overtime on salary, they aren’t compensated for the time they actually spend on the job,” explained Miller. “We have to use a complicated sliding scale, and sometimes they only get about $1 a hour for overtime even though we’re asking them to sacrifice family time and cover the shifts.”
“I think we definitely need to do something, but I also think we need a legal opinion,” said commissioner Steve Riley. “Labor laws are particular, and right now, we’re in compliance.”
Eventually, the commissioners agreed to consult county attorney Colton Johnson about the legality of changing to hourly wages, as well as set up a conference call with a Department of Labor representative during the next meeting on Monday, May 13.
“These workers are very important, and these people that we’re trying to hire and retain have to put up with a lot,” said county judge Robert Skelton.
Because of something he learned at a recent conference, Riley also asked Miller to clarify how the deputy who works with the drug dog is compensated for his time, and Miller said that he would make sure that all time is being documented.
New Policy
Skelton distributed copies of a drug and alcohol policy for county employees with commercial drivers licenses, even though there are only a few, since federal regulations require a testing policy be in place.
After the policy was accepted by unanimous vote, the commissioners also voted to use Reeves Rehab Safety Training to conduct the required testing.
Batjer Contract
A preventative maintenance agreement with Batjer Service for the Law Enforcement Center, totalling $4,300 annually, was approved.
The contract will include labor and parts for replacement of filters, belts, and other routine maintenance for seven rooftop units, 10 exhaust fans, ice machines, a walk-in freezer, and other equipment.
Other Business
•Extension agent Michaela Bradford invited elected officials to attend a May 1 forum at the Feed Store in order to get community input for future extension programs.
•The commissioners voted to leave the burn ban off until further notice.
•The treasurer’s report for March was approved.
•Justice of the Peace James Breeden stated that he would get dimensions for a new freezer for the Moran commodities this week.
•Judge Skelton requested that the commissioners submit names of county residents who would be interested in serving on the Shackelford County Historical Commission.
