WALLACE — A meeting between the Shoshone County commissioners and administrators from the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office grew contentious during discussions over the department’s pay structure.

Last Tuesday, Undersheriff Lance Stutzke and Capt. Seth Green presented several proposals to the board centered on revising the department’s pay structure. The proposed changes, which would cost the county nearly $26,000, aim to address concerns and improve morale within the department. 

The conversation continued Thursday. 

The latest meeting focused on the challenges faced by salaried administrators working significant overtime and the fairness of lower-ranking employees earning more through hourly wages. 

According to Stutzke and Green, the department’s two captains often earn less than lieutenants and sergeants due to the availability of overtime. The department’s ongoing staffing issues mean comp time isn’t an option for either salaried or hourly employees. 

“We’re asking to change it, so they’re compensated for the hours they’re working,” Stutzke said. 

Commissioner Jeff Zimmerman had previously stated that keeping administrative staff on salary was sound business practice. 

Under the proposed change, the captains would return to the hourly wage scale used under previous SCSO administrations, with a $1 per hour raise. Stutzke said this raise, combined with a managed overtime schedule, would help reestablish a clear pay gap between captains and their subordinates. 

Following last week’s meeting, Zimmerman said he contacted neighboring counties and found that all use a salary structure for their administrative staff. 

“I just want to make sure that there’s a standard and we’re following that standard,” Zimmerman said. 

He also made it clear that he would not support changes to the pay structure until the county’s audit is complete, and the board can determine whether the changes fit within the proposed budget. 

Green acknowledged Zimmerman’s point but noted that in other counties, the wage gap between hourly and salaried positions is large enough to justify the transition. At the SCSO, however, the gap is so small that deputies are discouraged from seeking promotions, or even take demotions, to earn more money. 

County Clerk Lori Osterberg pushed back, arguing that the SCSO’s salaried positions are among the highest-paid in the county and questioned the rationale for increasing wages without adding responsibilities. She also questioned why SCSO administrators should be hourly when other county administrators and elected officials are salaried. 

“You’re doing the job for $76,000,” Osterberg said. “You want to move them to $79,000 to do the same exact job, but now they’re going to get the $79,000 plus overtime? The job’s the job; nothing is going to change in the job. 

"I’m doing it and I’m not making $76,000 a year," she continued. "I mean, these people are making more than your elected officials.” 

She also expressed doubt that the SCSO has the funds to support the proposed changes. 

Stutzke challenged her position. 

“So you don’t want to try to work a dollar an hour in for the captains in the budget or work with us to do that, because you think they’re overpaid?” he asked. 

Osterberg stood by her assessment of the budget. 

“I’m not saying they’re overpaid, I’m absolutely not saying that,” she said. “What I’m saying is there’s not room in your budget to do this.” 

Following her comments, Green questioned why someone in his position would consider taking a demotion just to earn more money. 

Commissioner Melissa Cowles then weighed in, stating that Sheriff Holly Lindsey needs to be involved in the discussion. 

“It’s Sheriff Lindsey’s job to restructure, and I see that you guys have some imbalances going on,” Cowles said. “She really does need to go and sit down at the drawing table and restructure everything with the salaries.” 

Commissioner Dave Dose asked whether the board would allow the SCSO to work with the clerk to explore a reasonable solution before the annual budget is finalized. Both Zimmerman and Cowles agreed.