COUNTYWIDE : Pay Raises for 242 Officers on Agenda

The Ventura County Board of Supervisors will decide today whether to ratify an agreement that would give raises to 242 deputy probation officers, corrections services officers and harbor and park patrol officers.

Under the agreement reached between county negotiators and officials for the Ventura County Professional Peace Officers Assn., the union members would get enhanced medical benefits and a 2.5% pay increase in each of the next three years.

If approved by the supervisors, the raises will cost a total of $950,000. Corrections services officers now are paid up to $36,586 annually; deputy probation officers receive $37,450.

“Our salary survey showed we are running 3.4% to 3.7% behind (the market rate),” said Edward L. McLean, county assistant personnel director. “It is essentially a cost-of-living raise. We will still be below the market. But given the financial times, it’s the best we could do.”

Union President Patrick Neil said he believes that the agreement is fair.

“It represents that our people do need to keep moving forward, but we can’t expect any great leaps economically because the county is having a tough time economically,” he said.