Seneca County and the Sheriff’s Police Benevolent Association are at an impasse in contract negotiations, with the union indicating it will file for mediation after talks failed to produce an agreement.
According to county officials, the two sides began negotiations earlier this year. If mediation does not resolve the dispute, the process could move to arbitration.
The county said deputies, investigators, and sergeants received an average salary increase of just over 40% under the most recent three-year contract that ended in 2024. The PBA’s current proposal includes an average base salary increase of about $26,000 over the next three years.
County leaders say they are concerned about balancing wage increases with broader financial pressures, including rising operational costs and limited revenue growth. Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Michael Enslow said the county values its deputies but must ensure any agreement is financially sustainable for taxpayers.
“We are proud of our deputies and the service they provide,” said Enslow. “This isn’t about not wanting to pay our employees more — it’s about ensuring we can afford to do so in a way that keeps Seneca County on solid financial ground. We have to balance fairness to our workforce with fairness to our taxpayers.”
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