By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Lewis County sheriff’s deputies are getting a pay raise of 2.5 percent each year over the next three years under a new contract approved yesterday.
The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office and the Lewis County Deputies Guild negotiated a collective bargaining agreement that covers Jan. 1, 2016 through Dec. 31, 2018.
The change means that this year, a first-year deputy earns a base pay of $4,399 per month and deputies with seven or more years on the job earn $5,418 per month with others falling in between, according to Lewis County Human Resource Director Archie Smith. Detectives and sergeants earn more.
The contract provides for specialty incentive pay for assignments such as SWAT and K-9.
The Lewis County Board of Commissioners approved the agreement at its regular meeting yesterday morning.
Thirty commissioned law enforcement officers who work as deputies, detectives and deputy sergeants are part of the group that comprises the field operations bureau.
According to a summary describing the contract, the employees’ health and welfare benefits were unchanged and no management rights were reduced.
Other issues that were addressed during negotiations were: training reimbursement for new employees, clarification of take-home vehicles, creation of a lateral transfer for the operations group, clarification on scope of recognition and use of reserve deputies to perform minimal work.
Undersheriff Wes Rethwill said appointed personnel, such as himself and deputy chiefs, but not Sheriff Rob Snaza, will receive the same raise.