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WHEELING -- The two sides of the recent dispute in pay between the Ohio County Commission and Ohio County Sheriff's deputies released statements Thursday addressing their satisfaction with the resolution that was reached.
The deputies had filed three lawsuits against the commission in Ohio County Circuit Court claming several issues with pay procedures, pandemic pay and sick time. That dispute was settled this past week.
"The Ohio County Sheriff's Deputies are the backbone of public safety in Ohio County," said attorney Teresa Toriseva, who represented the deputies, in a Thursday joint statement with county commission attorney Bill Wilmoth of Steptoe & Johnson. "The foundational support the civilian members provide allows the deputies on patrol to do their jobs effectively.
"The back pay award fixes some of the discrepancies in compensation that have occurred in the past," she continued, "and the raises for all members of the Sheriff's office ensure the department can keep the deputies it has and recruit new ones in the future."
Wilmoth commented on the crucial work the county's deputies and civilian employees provide, and the commission's appreciation of that work.
"The County Commission values the Ohio County deputies, their law enforcement responsibilities and the job they do every day," said county commission attorney Bill Wilmoth of Steptoe & Johnson.
"Additionally, the civilian employees provide crucial support to the deputies that make their law enforcement work possible. This resolution recognizes each group's important work and ensures public safety for the citizens of Ohio County."
Deputies first filed pay grievances with the county about a year ago after Ohio County changed its payroll system to one paying employees "in arrears." Deputies contended they were shorted a week of pay as a result.
The Ohio County Commission at the time denied this was the case and asserted the employment payment model was one that was commonly used.
In December, after attempts to resolve the grievance failed, the deputies filed three lawsuits against the commission in Ohio County Circuit Court.
These suits claimed the county owed the deputies a week of pay due to a change in payroll procedures, that they didn't receive the pay they should have during the pandemic, and that they had to use their accrued sick time to take time off when infected with COVID while on the job.
This past week, the two sides agreed on a resolution. The settlement calls for the commission to raise the pay of all certified and uncertified deputy sheriffs by 23% retroactive to Jan. 1, 2023. In addition, wages for all civilian/non-law enforcement personnel in the department will be hiked by 16%.
The county will also provide the deputies as a group $60,507 in holiday pay; $3,400 in compensatory time pay; and $36,093 in wages lost from denied overtime opportunities at The Highlands.
Toriseva Law will provide a list of all payees and the amount due each employee to the commission, the settlement indicates. Additionally, the Ohio County Commission will pay the deputies $185,000 in general damages, and pay attorneys fees and costs of $125,000.
Retired and separated plaintiffs in the case will receive a one-time payment of $5,000, according to the settlement. Compensatory time in lieu of wages will be discontinued.
Payment of all funds must be paid by the county within 30 days of the County Commission receiving all paperwork pertaining to the agreement.