Jonesboro, AR – Jonesboro Right Now – The Craighead County Quorum Court on Monday night approved a pay increase program for certified sheriff’s office deputies, as well as increases to the adult and juvenile inmate fees.

The court approved a step pay program designed to retain certified sheriff’s office deputies. Outgoing Craighead County Sheriff Marty Boyd previously told the court the program would cost the county around $65,000 upfront.

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According to the ordinance, each certified law enforcement officer in the department will bank $500 per year for one to 20 years employed, of which the increases will be paid out in five-year increments of the officer’s anniversary date. The following increases would be added to an officers’ salary:

  • Five years: $2,500
  • Ten years: $5,000
  • Fifteen years: $7,500
  • Twenty years: $10,000

If the officer had any lapses in employment status with the department, the years of service relative to the pay scale would restart if the officer returned to the sheriff’s department.

Boyd told the court Monday night that cost-of-living adjustments, or other similar salary adjustments, will not be impacted for officers on this payment plan.

The court held the first reading for the ordinance, before voting suspend the rules and hold second and third readings on the legislation. All court members present voted to approve the ordinance, with Justice of the Peace Josh Longmire absent.

With the court’s approval, the pay program went into effect immediately due to an emergency clause included in the ordinance.

The court also held the first readings of two ordinances that will increase the jail fees for adult inmates and juvenile inmates at the Craighead County Detention Center. The adult fee would increase from $55 to $65 per day for county inmates, and from $60 per day to $70 per day for out of county inmates. The juvenile fee would increase from $100 to $125 per day.

Boyd previously told quorum court committee members that the two ordinances were a response to the dentention center losing money on inmates, and needing additional revenue to cover housing costs. The juvenile fee is more expensive due to higher number of required staffing, Boyd said. 

The court voted to suspend the rules and hold second and third readings on both jail fee increases, and both were approved by all quorum court members present.

With the court’s approval, both fee increases went into effect immediately due to an emergency clause included in the ordinances.

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