ROSS COUNTY, Ohio — After weeks of arduous negotiations and mounting public pressure, the Sheriff of Ross County participated in a ceremonious, yet official signing that occurred on Monday. It achieved a significant breakthrough by securing an inflation raise for the deputies of the Ross County Sheriff’s Office. The hard-fought agreement between the deputies, represented by the Teamsters 284 Blue Unit, and the Ross County commissioners brings an end to a prolonged dispute over fair compensation.
The road to a resolution was riddled with challenges, as the Ross County Commissioners initially resisted engaging in discussions regarding a pay increase. Despite a collective bargaining agreement signed in 2021 that included provisions for mid-term negotiations, the commissioners were reluctant to address the deputies’ legitimate concerns about the rising cost of living.
However, the determination of Ross County Auditor Jeff Lehner and Ross County Treasurer David Jeffers proved instrumental in turning the tide. Lehner and Jeffers passionately argued that the county possessed sufficient financial resources, with a sizable $14 million savings account, to accommodate the deserved raises at a cost of less than $200,000 annually. Their compelling case, coupled with unwavering support from Sheriff George Lavender, gradually compelled the commissioners to reconsider their initial stance, which will officially cost the county $185,323, per year — or a minimal 1.3% of the county’s nest egg.
Public sentiment also played a crucial role in influencing the commissioners’ decision. An influential editorial from the Guardian highlighted the commissioners’ failure to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of the Sheriff’s deputies to the county’s safety and well-being. The editorial resonated with the community, amplifying support for the deputies and mounting pressure on the commissioners to address their legitimate grievances.
“This is the only way this county is going to grow is to get these people up to where we need to be,” said Lavender.
As a result of these collective efforts, the commissioners ultimately relented last week, agreeing to the long-awaited raise for the deputies. This development not only brought relief and satisfaction to the deputies but also positions Ross County more competitively against neighboring counties, such as the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office and Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office, both of which recently implemented pay increases.
“I’m thankful for the Commissioners’ decision today and for Sheriff Lavender’s leadership,” Auditor Lehner commented on Monday. “With this commitment and the new Sheriff’s office pay scale, Ross County is finally able to compete with comparable communities when it comes to recruiting and retaining law enforcement professionals. We won’t regret this.”
As Lehner noted, the new inflation raise, combined with the annual raise that took effect on July 1, deputies in Ross County will now earn salaries that surpass those of their counterparts in neighboring counties. Their compensation will closely align with the wages paid to police officers in the City of Chillicothe, a significant milestone for the deputies who had long endured wage discrepancies while performing comparable tasks.
Treasurer Jeffers echoed similar sentiments as the Auditor.
“I extend my utmost appreciation to the Commissioners and commend Sheriff Lavender for his exemplary guidance,” Jeffers said. “Through the allocation of funds and the implementation of an enhanced pay scale within the Sheriff’s office, Ross County has taken a significant stride in our ability to rival neighboring communities in the recruitment and retention of law enforcement professionals. This bold investment in our Sheriff’s office is an assurance that we have set a path towards a thriving and secure future for Ross County.”
The Teamsters 284 Blue Unit expressed relief and satisfaction at the outcome, highlighting the mutual obligation of both parties to engage in discussions concerning mid-term bargaining requirements. The unanimous vote in favor of the raise during last Thursday’s union vote underscored the deputies’ overwhelming support and approval.
The raise will run until the end of the current collective bargaining agreement, which is 2025.