Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Hammond.Hamilton County corrections officer Jonathan Walker says he knew he might be laying his job on the line Wednesday when he appeared before county commissioners to ask for a raise for the department’s officers.
Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Hammond’s budget, which seeks an extra $1.85 million next fiscal year, doesn’t include a salary increase for staff members who haven’t had a raise in four years. Walker, a six-year department veteran, cited problems in the jail such as high turnover among corrections officers who work one or more mandatory overtime shifts a week.
“We asked the sheriff several years now for a raise,” Walker said. “I was just told that you all are the ones that gave the raises.”
Hammond told the Times Free Press Friday he requests additional money for his staff every year. He told his officers the County Commission controls raises, Walker said Wednesday.
Commissioners are currently considering department budget proposals for the 2013 fiscal year, which begins July 1. County Mayor Jim Coppinger will present the full budget to the commission on June 14.