Mo. County Exec Vetoes Higher Pay Hikes for Deputies

St. Charles County's (Mo.) executive has vetoed extra pay raises for veteran sheriff's deputies, saying they shouldn't be treated differently from other county workers.

Executive Steve Ehlmann vetoed provisions in the budget that would have provided a one-time salary increase of $1,250 for deputies with 120 or more months of service.

"We have budgeted salary increases of 1% across the board for most county employees and another 2% for those with good employee reviews," Ehlmann said in a statement. "This includes the sheriff's department personnel. What I am against is providing more money only for the deputies."

Veteran deputies have been affected by "compression," meaning that employees with considerably more experience are making only slightly more than new hires, according to a county statement.

Ehlmann also said he would make a determination about hiring additional school resource officers, after July 1, when he gains a clearer picture of revenues.