Sheriff Terry Johnson presented a request for six new bailiffs. He continued that as of January 2024, there were eight regular operating courts. In Spring 2024, that increased to twelve operating courts, additional magistrate courts, and H and I felonies courts. He indicated that staffing had become inadequate with vacations and sick leave. Sheriff Johnson noted that they have had to pull deputies off patrol and investigations to cover the needed bailiffs for courts when other bailiffs are off on vacation or sick leave. He explained that the January 2025 court operations would have three additional courts, including the new fifth district court judge, the new drug court, and an additional H and I felony court. With fifteen operating courtrooms, Sheriff Johnson reported that left a shortage of bailiffs. He said it took about eight weeks to complete investigations on new hires. He indicated that, with the addition of six new bailiffs, they would have self-sufficient court operations and eliminate the need to pull personnel from other divisions of the Sheriff's Office.
Lieutenant Kyle McPherson explained the current process and how the increased number of operating courts has impacted finding enough bailiffs to fill these holes. He mentioned that he and his sergeant were running the courtrooms. He emphasized that it could become a security issue when they brought inmates over from the jail and needed two bailiffs in those courtrooms.
Sheriff Johnson said he was asking for six bailiffs; however, if the state team came in, they would say they needed more than six bailiffs.
Commissioner Thompson asked whether the bailiff shortage had been going on or was it due to the upcoming courthouse expansion project. Lieutenant McPherson answered that he took over the courts last December, which was one of the first problems he noticed. He has been trying to add more people to cover the shortages.
Captain Mantreese Dotson spoke about the sign-on bonus and its effectiveness in increasing interest in those vacant positions. She explained they had 70 vacancies in July and hired 14 people using the sign-on bonus. She said their office was receiving 30-40 applications per day. Captain Dotson mentioned that the Board had approved 20 hard-to-fill positions. She reported that 13 detention officers and one deputy are waiting to know if they will be offered the sign-on bonus.
Commissioner Lashley asked about the salaries for the six new bailiffs. Sheriff Johnson estimated about $400,000. County Manager York said it was about $450,000 with an annual salary of about $51,000 per bailiff.
Vice-Chair Carter asked whether a budget amendment was needed. County Manager York answered yes, and the Board needed to determine where the funds would come from.
Chairman Paisley asked about the number of bailiffs classified as part-time and full-time. Lieutenant McPherson answered there were ten full-time and seven part-time with one of those retiring at the end of the year. Chairman Paisley clarified that the part-time bailiffs would not be eligible for the $10,000 sign-on bonus. Sheriff Johnson said that part-time does not receive the sign-on bonus.
Chairman Paisley asked County Manager York if she had a recommendation. County Manager York suggested reclassifying 3 of the vacant detention officer positions so that no additional funding was added to that budget and the number of positions would not increase. She emphasized that Sheriff Johnson was hesitant to do this because he did not want to lose those positions, and she could not guarantee that they would be restored in the next fiscal budget.
Commissioner Turner suggested hiring four new bailiffs and reclassifying two positions, and at budget, reassessing those two positions as a reclassification.
Sheriff Johnson sought clarification on whether the Board had approved the positions and the additional ten for the sign-on bonuses. He said his office was currently processing those fourteen people.