The Henderson Fiscal Court on Tuesday approved pay ranges for Henderson County Detention Center employees, a move made as new Jailer Anthony Willett takes over and makes new hires.
Willett told the Hendersonian he’s bringing new people to HCDC, including five people that had worked at the jail in the past and been gone for some time. Willett said there’s also one hire that hasn’t worked in the jail in the past.
The pay ranges approved by the fiscal court are all still within budget, according to the resolution that the court approved. And Willett also said with the new hires’ salaries, the spending is still within budget.
Additionally, he said the jail in the past had an alotted 91 positions, and now the number of staff members is down to 75.
Willett said other moves have been made inside the jail. He said he hasn’t fired anyone. “Nobody got fired,” he said.
He also said that no one has quit since he took the reins.
“There was a lot of talk but nobody walked out,” Willett said.
The approved pay ranges are:
Chief deputy, $30-$45 per hour
Major, $25-$40 per hour
Captain, $23-$35 per hour
Lieutenant, $24-$32 per hour
Sergeant, $22-$30 per hour
Officers, $19-$28 per hour
Deputy, $18-$24 per hour
Administration, $25-$40 per hour
Willett recently won the May primary election for jailer against Eddie Vaught, who remains on the jail staff. Willett said Vaught is no longer a captain, his position before the election.
Former Jailer Bruce Todd retired from the position on June 30. Willett was appointed to fill the remainder of Todd’s term and then continue into his term. He was sworn in on July 1.
Willett said he will implement increased training for new hires, going from 16 hours of mandatory training to two weeks before starting working the floor. And he said he’s interested in sending lieutenants, captains and majors to leadership schools.
