On February 7, the Lenoir County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to approve a new salary plan for the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office that will take effect March 1, 2022. Sheriffs’ Administration staff took time last week after Boards’ approval to meet with staff to share new pay plan.

Sheriff Ingram added, “I want to personally thank our County Manager and the entire Board of Commissioners for voting unanimously to take this step to increase salaries for our Office. I have never envied the tough financial decisions they have to make, but I am grateful they have placed public safety and the financial well-being of our Sheriff’s Office staff as a priority.”

The new plan was one of compromise for both the Sheriff and County Leaders. At the request of the County Manager Michael James, the Sheriff agreed to freeze five vacant positions for deputies and 12 vacant positions for detention officers. These positions were not dissolved completely, but will not be funded in the coming budget. Both sides agreed to hold open the frozen positions in hopes they can be funded again in the future.

In response to the frozen positions, the Commissioners raised starting pay for deputies to $36,221, and moved Deputy II pay to $39,975. Deputies can also still earn 10% for receiving their advanced certification making their salaries $44,132.

As for the detention center, starting pay will now be $32,815. Pay for detention officer II will be $36,221. Additionally, detention officers can also receive 10% for their advanced certification. A detention officer can now increase their salary to $40,272 with their advanced jailer certification.

In addition to their base salaries, Deputies and Detention Officers receive shift differential, overtime pay, holiday pay, Christmas bonuses, longevity pay, sick leave, vacation leave, 401k, retirement, health insurance and other incentives.

Sheriff Ingram explained, “Lenoir County is not rich and none of us want to pay higher taxes. This plan has allowed us to get higher pay without a tax increase. We all know that we will never be able to equal some of our surrounding cities and counties, but this helps us to be very, very competitive.”

To find out more information or an application, you can visit lenoircountysheriff.com or pick up an application in person at the Sheriffs Office in the Courthouse.