Hamilton County appeals decision on pay lawsuit for Sheriff Jim Hammond's employees

Thursday, May 3, 2012

photo Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Hammond

The Hamilton County Attorney has filed an appeal with the state Supreme Court in a lawsuit to equalize pay among sheriff's sergeants.

Sheriff Jim Hammond confirmed today that the appeal had been filed and referred questions to the county attorney.

Details of the appeal were not immediately available.

The Tennessee Court of Appeals ruled in February that a case regarding pay disparities among 19 sergeants be sent back to the Civil Service Advisory Board. The opinion detailed "necessary steps to take to eliminate the disparity."

The opinion left the method of achieving that goal to Hammond.

Sheriff Sgts. Chris Harvey, Ricky Jones, Mark King, Mark Kimsey, Mark Williams and Jody Mays filed a grievance because their salaries ranged from $43,86 to $49,840. That grievance started the court battle.

It would cost the sheriff's office $74,596 if all sergeants were paid at the highest sergeant's pay.

For more details, see tomorrow's Times Free Press.