Sheriff's Office staffing and pay gap
Summary
Sheriff Michelle Cook says the office is still 53 deputies short of the state average, and neighboring agencies pay $10,000-$22,000 more at starting salary. Without competitive pay, deputies could leave — and 911 response times could stretch from 9 minutes toward 20.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 1
- Last 30 days
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Last discussed Jun 9, 2026.
Impact analysis
An $11.5 million personnel increase request in the Sheriff's budget.
Residents would keep faster 911 response times and a fully staffed sheriff's office.
If funding falls short, deputies may leave for higher-paying agencies and response times could lengthen significantly.
Mentions & discussions (1)
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