Bullitt County Sheriff's Office increases salaries, benefits for deputies

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Bullitt County Sheriff's Office said recent salary increases and other incentives are aimed at helping attract qualified deputies and keep current staff.

The pay increases started Sept. 16.

The sheriff's office said this will make the department more competitive with surrounding areas like Shepherdsville and Mt. Washington. Salaries for deputies with a year of experience can start at $53,000, and deputies with 10 years or more of service can earn more than $62,000.

Someone with a year experience previously got paid $18.36 per hour. Now, they'll get $23.40 per hour. A deputy with three years experience previously got $19.87 per hour. Now, they'll get $25.32 per hour. Someone with 10 years experience is now getting paid $27.44 per hour. They previously got paid $23.17 per hour.

"They can buy a home, raise a family and live a lifestyle similar to the police departments or the police officers in surrounding cities, surrounding counties," Sheriff Walt Sholar said.

Benefits include paid holidays, vacation and sick time, medical and dental insurance, and a take-home car. Equipment and uniforms are furnished.

Sholar said the new pay scale is already helping the department attract quality applicants with experience.

The sheriff's office is reallocating money they already have in order to maintain this pay increase.

"It's not gonna call for a need to raise taxes or anything else," Sholar said. "We are doing it from within the budget we have set."