Raises requested by Lake sheriff deferred by council for review
Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez has asked the Lake County Council for permission to reorganize his administration so he can adjust positions and job titles, and pay civilian employees according to the national average.
Martinez said during a study session Jan. 3 that this would be the first organization under his own administration. Until the new year, Martinez had been working under the administration of former Sheriff John Buncich, who is in prison after being found guilty of five counts of honest services wire fraud and one count of bribery.
Martinez was elected sheriff in September to fill Buncich’s remaining term.
The reorganization includes pay raises for some civilian employees, including a head mechanic who would see an increase from $38,110 to $50,000. Other examples include a public information officer getting a $5,858 bump from over $37,000 and a bookkeeper’s salary increasing from just over $29,000 to $37,682.
Martinez said the reorganization would not require additional appropriations and would be within his budget.
Although the matter is on the council’s agenda for its Jan. 8 meeting, the board said it will defer the matter a month for more review.
Council President David Hamm, D-Hammond, told the sheriff to come up with a total reorganization that may include not only employee salaries, but things like office supplies if necessary.
Elsie Franklin, D-Gary, said the sheriff’s request was a lot to digest in a short time and for the first meeting of the year.
“I was thrown off when I heard about this yesterday,” she said. “I did speak with the sheriff and I am in total agreement giving him all the things he needs to run his department. But we need to sit down and really go through this.”
If approved next month, the raises would be retroactive.
Rob Earnshaw is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.