The Cumberland County Budget Committee passed an increase in pay for deputies and corrections officers and a 6 percent across the board raise for county employees salary schedule. However, that decision could be overturned after the final budget numbers are released. County Finance Director Nathan Brock is currently getting those figures set.

So far, no tax increase is proposed but could be considered.

The full county commission will meet once the budget is finalized to consider and vote on it before any increase in pay is set for the new fiscal year.

Sheriff Casey Cox says the turnaround rate in his department is high and he is trying to get more pay for his officers this year instead of an increase of deputies.

“I currently have a total of 33 deputies who patrol the county. What I should have is a number in the 40 range,” said Cox

Sheriff Cox told 105.7 News the starting pay for a deputy with his department is $29,479 a year.

One of the problems is the entry pay for a certified officer with the Crossville Police Department is now $39,020, nearly $10,000 more a year that what Cox can offer a new deputy. The Crossville City Council recently enacted a city wide pay increase to make in comparable to other similar municipalities in the state.

The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office is financed by the county and must work with the funds the county commission approves every year.

In more comparisons, the Roane County Sheriff’s Department starts their deputies as well as corrections officers at $36,792 a year. ($7,313 more than Cumberland).

Cox added a security officer for Roane State Community College, according to their website, makes $36,107. ($6,628 more that starting Cumberland County deputies)

Finally, Greene County is close in size and population to Cumberland County. Their starting pay for deputies is $37,648 annually. ($8,169 more)

Years of the same pay for Cumberland County deputies and corrections officers took a toll on the sheriff’s department. Sheriff Cox said since 2018, he has lost 27 deputies and around 40 corrections officers who went on to other law enforcement agencies for more money.