Sheriff to see pay increase under new law

Sheriff Matt Myers
Sheriff Matt Myers

Bartholomew County Sheriff Matt Myers would see an annual pay bump of just over $3,000 based on a legal opinion given to the County Council last night.

Council attorney Chris Monroe said that despite having a four-year contract, the sheriff’s pay level is mandated by the state and is based on receiving 80 percent of the pay of the county prosecutor. The prosecutor’s pay is, in turn, based on the pay of the Circuit Court judges. Because the Circuit Court judges received a pay bump to $141,000 as of July 1st, that means higher pay for the sheriff, also, Monroe said.

Monroe advised the council members that based on his reading of the state statute, the council had no option but to increase Myers pay from the contracted $110,000 a year to $113,049. The pay should be adjusted effective back to the first of July, he suggested.

The issue was brought to light by sheriff’s department attorney Jeffrey L. Beck, who sent a letter to the county attorney requesting the pay increase.

Council members agreed that they had little choice but to give the pay raise. The information was presented at last night’s Council work session, where no votes are taken. The Council has a regular meeting next Tuesday and is expected to have the pay increase on the agenda.