Boost for Sheriff’s Office

The Butte County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Feb. 24 to help the Sheriff’s Office recruit qualified deputy sheriff applicants. Sheriff Kory Honea (pictured) told the board his department is suffering a staffing shortage. “Our deputies take home less money, so they seek employment with local police departments,” Honea said.

According to the meeting’s agenda, the deputy and sergeant pay will increase 5 percent and shifts will increase to 12 hours “to address immediate needs, as well as a long-term outreach plan with regard to recruiting.” The cost of $428,173 to implement the plan will be offset by the elimination of four vacant deputy allocations, Honea said, which will save $383,737. The remaining $44,436 will be funded by the Sheriff’s Office on an “ongoing basis.”