Volusia Approves Pay Increases For VCSO Deputies & Non-Union County Workers

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Volusia County, FL - On Thursday, the Volusia County Council unanimously approved a 3-year deal to give Volusia deputies pay raises and an amendment to give non-union County workers a 4% pay range increase. The raise for deputies comes after months of negotiations between the County and the deputies' union. The agreement the Council approved provides three consecutive yearly increases in the minimum pay range for deputies – 4% each year in 2018, 2019 and 2020. By fiscal year 2019-2020, minimum hourly pay rates should increase to $19.10 for deputies and $24.95 for sergeants. “We want to give multiple-year stability, and I think that is really important in this economy," explained County Manager Jim Dinneen. The contract with the deputies' union also allows for a retroactive 3% deputy pay increase for fiscal year 2016-2017, when no agreement was in place, and deputies missed out on raises granted to other County employees, according to Volusia County Sheriff's Office officials. Deputies will see that retroactive pay on their January 26 paychecks. “This is going to be a huge score for us when it comes to recruitment and retention," Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood told the Council. He added that he wants this pay raise to show his employees how valuable they are. The pay raises are based on a complex formula which takes into account how long the employees have been employed, the amount that new hires earn, and other factors. The formula is aimed at addressing the issue of wage compression and is expected to reward those employees who have been with the County for longer periods of time. "It was always the intent of the entire Council to take care of our Sheriff's deputies, and we all wanted the best that we could do without financially encumbering the rest of our citizens in Volusia County," said Council member Billie Wheeler. Non-union County employees will see a 4% increase in minimum and maximum pay ranges beginning December 30 of this year. This increase amends an earlier Council vote that would have only given these employees a 3% increase. Employees who currently fall below the new minimum pay range would get a boost in pay in order to fall within the new parameters. For earlier reporting on the non-union employees' wages, click here. County Manager Jim Dinneen and County Attorney Dan Eckert also received 3% pay raises. Currently, Dinneen makes over $240,000 a year, and Eckert makes over $210,000 a year. Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.