Resolution 059-1981RESOLUTION NO. 59 1981
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING SALARY INCREASE FOR ALL
SWORN LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL OF THE MONROE
COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.
WHEREAS, the Sheriff of Monroe County has proposed and requested
an immediate $100.00 across the Board salary increase for all sworn
law enforcement personnel of the Sheriff's Department to be effective
April 1, 1981, and
WHEREAS, the Sheriff has advised that said increase will cost
a total of $62,9S3.20, and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County,
Florida, has determined that said request is reasonable and further
wishes to fund said request from the Federal Revenue Sharing Funds,
now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE
COUNTY, FLORIDA, as follows:
1. That the Board does hereby go on record as supporting the
Sheriff's request of a $100.00 across the Board salary increase for
all 87 sworn law enforcement officers and that said increase is to be
effective beginning April 1, 1981.
2. That the Board does hereby agree to fund said request from
the Federal Revenue Sharing Funds which will be received by the Board
and that the Board will take such action as is necessary to allocate
said funding to the Monroe County Sheriff's Department.
3. That the Clerk is requested to take such action as is neces-
sary in order to accomplish the aforesaid.
Passed and adopted by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe
County, Florida, at a regular meeting of said Board held on the 24th
day of February, A.D. 1981.
(Seal)
Attest:
erk
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
APPROVED AS TO FORM
AAV $00�4 S'tIMft"CY.
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February 20, 1981.
1'F.1.FFHONF.
LSEST ^4t. 2.1?4
11AHA:'11O1' ;1J Sh ti'F i
.",ANTATION 1:51.:tirtt. .
11. 0. BOX 1269
KF,Y WEST, F1.u:1UA.3301u
Honorable Ken Sorgnsen
Monroe County Commissioner
Dj ,strict V
P,O. Box 754
i:_:_,- Largo, Florida 33037
Ken:
i
(__• `V I ,i . i . .
This letter. is a reply to our telephone conversation of
February l9, 1981, regarding your interest in my proposal for an
irT.-?ediate acr;>ss the -board salary increase for all sworn laTt; enfor.ce-
:77T_:;t persofthet of,the Sheriff's Department.
As you know, - recruiting and retaining qualified individuals who
meet our high star-Adards is difficult at best. Not only is it
d<_.`ficult.to recruit new personnel, it is becoming ever increasingly
dirficult'to retain current personnel. In recent weeks we have lost
tv,) (2) Investigators from our Plantation Key Substation who.left
this Department for financial reasons only. These two (2) highly
qualified Investigators will be starting for other agencies at almost
$,500.00 more than they were earning with this Department.
In our Marathon Substation we anticipate that six (6) Deputies
will be leaving to go with other law enforcement agencies Oue to the.
increased salaries they can earn.
The Governor of this State recognized this problemsome months
ago. Traditionally,,.the Florida Highway Patrol has been a training
ground for other,1oi-i'de agencies. This is, Troopers would be trained
bv the Highway Patrol and leave for - higher paying positions in other
police agencies. - Recognizing this critical loss of key personnel,
t'. Governor on January 1, 1.981, implemented an immediate $226.00 a
month pay raise -for all State law enforcement personnel assigned to
P-?;-,nroe, Dade, Palm Beach and Broward Counties. This increase was
implemented hacause the Governor recognized the severe differences in
cost of living wh•ich'affects us in Monroe County as well as our
neighbors to the North. In addition to this immediate raise, on
September 1, 1981, these same State officers will receive an addit-
ic::1al $141.00 per month salary increase. When the program is fully
implemented, a.n4v Trooper will earniin excess of $17,000.00 a yeatr,
whereas, a new Deputy Sheriff earns $11,770.00 a year to start.
.o-r;orabl e Ker Sorensen
February 20, 1981
F-a.ge -2-
As isrerdi`ly apparent from these figures, unless we as
community _ Yeaa:�rs; take immediate action we are going to be unable
to hire new rec.rt;its or retain the qualified personnel we presently
have. We arc: -facing a crisis situation since the most important
service governmep�_ can provide its citizens is the protection of life
-11'-Li property. .I personally cannot blame any one of my officers for
leaving this Depa-rtment when they can go with another agency and earn
Over $5,000.00 mote a year.
I would 1ike•to..emphasize this $100.00 across the board raise is
on y an interim measure. We are merely applying a band -aid to a
Wc,und that -requires radical surgery. As we have -discussed, I am
preparing a sa.ldry survey package clearly showing the salaries that
we must compete within order to recruit and retain qualified per-
sonnel. This information will be available to you and the other
Commissioners'as Boon as it is assembled, hopefully before Tuesday's
Meeting.
I have.enclos�d a breakdown for the interim salary increase
proposal which v7e discussed. Please call me immediately regarding
any questions.on the proposal.
Yours for better law enforcement.
I remain,
1
e,
WAFj r/gs
Enclosure: (1)
i
e
Sincerely,
O i+.
1 LI'j'IAM A. FREEMAN, J . SIIERIFl
MONROE COUNTY
• INTERIM SALARY INCREASE
.J
• FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL
j
$100.00 Across the Board Salary Increase for all
eighty-seven (87) Sworn Law Enforcement Officers
(April. 1 to Se�ptember 30, 1981). $ 52120.0. 00
Retirement and Social Security Increase to
Compensate Salary Increase
Retirement @ 13.95`_
F.I.C.A. @ 6.65%
2.0.60% $ 10,753.20
TOTAL $ 62,953.20
• INTERIM SALARY INCREASE
FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL
1
$100.00 Across the Board Salary Increase for all
eighty-seven (87) Sworn Law Enforcement Officers
(Apr-L-i 1 to Sej)tember 30, 1981) $ 52,200.00
Retirement. and Social Security Increase to
Componsate Salary Increase
Retirement C 13.95-
F.I.C.A. @ 6.65-%
20. C;j"'. $ 10,753.20
TOTAL $ 62,953.20