JONESBORO, Ark. — Craighead County sheriff's deputies will have access to increased pay opportunities, and the county detention center will implement higher inmate housing fees following decisions made by the Craighead County Quorum Court on Monday, Oct. 26.
During the meeting, held at the Craighead County Extension Office, the court approved a step pay program for certified deputies with the Craighead County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Marty Boyd explained that the program is designed to combat high turnover rates among certified officers while ensuring costs remain manageable for the county.
Under the ordinance, certified deputies will be eligible to earn an additional $500 per year of service, up to a maximum of 20 years. The increments will be distributed every five years at the discretion of the sheriff, adding up to $10,000 in potential raises by the end of that period. The ordinance advanced from its first to third reading during the session and passed with unanimous approval from all attending members.
In addition to addressing deputy pay, the quorum court passed ordinances to increase inmate housing fees at the county detention center, effective immediately. The new rates represent the first increase for adult inmates since 2021 and for juvenile detainees since 2023. Fees for housing adult inmates will now rise from $55 to $65 per day for in-county inmates and from $60 to $70 per day for out-of-county inmates. Costs for housing juvenile inmates will increase from $100 to $125 per day.
Both jail fee ordinances were also moved from their first to third readings during the meeting before being unanimously approved.
Justice Josh Longmire was the only member unable to attend the meeting. All present quorum court members voted in favor of the measures discussed.
The decisions come as part of ongoing efforts to improve county operations and address financial and staffing challenges in key areas of public safety.