Sheriff's deputies extend contract

The union that represents Flathead County law-enforcement officers will extend its labor contract with the county for one more year in light of the tight economic climate here.

The contract was scheduled to be opened for negotiations at the end of October, but deputies voted to request the extension and county management agreed, County Human Resource Office Raeann Campbell said.

Deputies are represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3531.

"Deputies are on the front lines when it comes to dealing with the struggles in our community and do not want the association or county officials to be distracted by the grueling task of contract negotiations until some stability returns," Campbell said.

The County Compensation Board voted to give elected officials the same 1.9 percent cost-of-living adjustment that other county employees were given.

Deputies, in turn, receive pay based on the sheriff's annual base salary of $62,235, Campbell said.

Entry-level deputies receive 74.1 percent of that base salary, while officers with five years of experience get 81 percent. Compensation is increased, based on experience, up to the undersheriff, who earns 95 percent of the sheriff's base salary.