New Grant Could Help Pay for Deputy Raises

Fayette County Commissioners Court learned last week about a new state grant program that could pay for raises at the Sheriff’s Office.

The 2024 budget that the Court has been considering includes a 10 percent raise for EMS and the Sheriff’s Office. Other County employees would receive a five percent raise.

Assistant County Attorney Blake Watson gave a report at last Thursday’s meeting about the new grant program, which could possibly pay for raises at the County Attorney’s office and the four constables as well.

Senate Bill 22, which recently passed in the State Legislature, will appropriate $330 million in state funds to help support salaries for rural law enforcement agencies. Watson said the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office could receive $350,000 next year. Those funds may be spent on increasing wages for deputies.

“If we’re going to give the Sheriff’s Office an increase in their budget for salaries, we could use this money coming in to pay for those salaries,” Watson said.

“We can apply on Jan. 1, and it should be a quick and simple process,” Watson added.

“This is a statewide problem – compensating law enforcement,” County Judge Dan Mueller said. “It’s a problem we know to be true. We’re going to follow this closely.”