KNOXVILLE, Tenn — The Knox County Commission considered a proposal Monday that would lock in a minimum 2.5% annual pay increase for uniformed employees in the Knox County Sheriff's Office. The sheriff's office is struggling to keep a full staff. There are about 150 open positions.
The proposal by commissioners Kyle Ward and Justin Biggs would match a City of Knoxville ordinance that since the 1980s has guaranteed 2.5% cost-of-living increases to all classified city employees.
Sheriff’s officers have long complained of a pay gap between KCSO and Knoxville Police Department, so the proposal would presumably help keep the gap from growing. Though a plan under consideration by city officials would increase guaranteed annual raises for KPD officers to 4.2% in future years.
Commissioners weighed in on the potential cost of locking in an annual budget commitment. It would apply only to sworn officers up to the rank of captain.
Knox County Sheriff Tom Spangler said a pay increase would potentially save money in the long run if they’re able to maintain staff with this incentive.
"Experienced people walk out the doors to look for better pay and that's a part of what's going on across our country right now within law enforcement," Spangler said. "You're looking at an average of just sending somebody through the law enforcement academy of $50,000 per person.”
Spangler said he's working with commissioners for an annual pay increase minimum of 2.5% but would prefer an increase of about 6-8%.
"Is it something that you want or is it something that is just there temporarily and what we would love to have is those people who want to make a career with Knox County Sheriff's Office," Spangler said.
The sheriff's office wants to match the pay of those in uniform with the Knoxville Police Department. Those officers already have a 2.5% increase each year.
"We're in a bidding war so to speak and that bidding war is competing against our sister agency with the Knoxville police department," Spangler said.
KPD said its starting rate is $40,000. KCSO said its starting rate is about the same at $39,653.31 for a patrol officer. Except without an annual pay increase.
"You don't want to watch experienced people walk out the door for better pay," Spangler said.
KCSO does, however, give bonuses throughout the year depending on how well the agency does. Last year, it handed out $4,500 per person in uniform.
Commissioners said they want to pay officers more but want to make sure the approach is cost-efficient.
"In the county budget we don't have unlimited funds," Commissioner Kyle Ward said.
"I'm just trying to look at the best way to protect us but give them the money that we can," Commissioner Terry Hill said.
If the resolution is passed, the increases could be rescinded in five years but not sooner. Before the proposal's second reading next week, commissioners asked the sheriff’s office for an exact number of employees who will get the annual raise and what the average officer in uniform is currently making.