By Steven Spencer
The Jersey County Personnel Committee agreed to present a motion to the county board supporting the inclusion of the county’s two full-time court security officer positions in the current collective bargaining agreement.
The agreement is between the Police Benevolent and Protective Association (PBPA) and Jersey County and the Jersey County Sheriff as co-employers.
A petition has been introduced with the State Board of Elections for the inclusion of the positions, but Jersey County State’s Attorney Ben Goetten said the initial petition was filed incorrectly and it was suggested that a unilateral amendment be made.
“They had, in addition to full-time employees, part-time employees and I believe they included ETSB 911 dispatchers,” Goetten added. “So now we have the clean copy, the clean petition which will be filed and the twenty day clock will start and as long as there’s no objection it goes right through.”
Board Chairman Don Little said the two positions are already included as full-time and receiving benefits, the petition will just include them in the bargaining agreement with the PBPA.
Little added that the officers had already endorsed the move a few weeks prior.
“That’s an extremely hard position to fill,” Sheriff Mike Ringhausen said.
Rinhausen added that the board has agreed in the past to making the position full-time as well as increasing the pay which has helped keep the position staffed.
“It’s been good to get that filled,” said Ringhausen. “Now I’m just trying to hang onto them.”
The committee had no objections during discussion and will present the motion to the county board.
