A staffing shortage crisis at the Miami County Sheriff’s Office prompted Miami County Commissioners to approve a $2.50 hourly increase for all employees working in the jail and dispatch center. The action was taken after listening to Sheriff Frank Kelly map out the safety concerns arising from a lack of staff. According to Undersheriff Matt Kelly, the sheriff’s office is budgeted to have 80 employees, but there currently are 19 vacancies, including six dispatchers, three deputy sheriffs in the patrol division, and four deputy sheriffs in the jail division, along with five deputy jailers and one part-time licensed practical nurse in the jail. Matt Kelly said he currently can only have two dispatchers working and there have been times when callers have been placed on hold when they call 911.
Sheriff Frank Kelly had originally asked the commissioners to approve a $3 an hour increase for all of his employees to help find and maintain staffing.
