"This effort can be effective," Causey said of targeted raises. "At the same time, this kind of effort could lead to misunderstanding if everyone involved does not understand that the effort is temporary and intended to address a specific challenge. The sheriff has had grave concerns for his entire department for a considerable period of time. He has expressed concern that he needed to tackle the salaries of his entire department. We respect that view."

County employee pay was a hot-button topic of discussion in 2022, as it has been in many other years. Thornton has remained outspoken with elected leaders and county administrative staff over what he deemed low compensation issues that aren't competitive with other counties, which he said has led to staff shortages.

"The sheriff has shared on numerous occasions via a multitude of social media posts that he is unable to recruit and retain enough road deputies and detention officers to maintain the safety of the citizens of Sampson County," the county said in a statement this past spring prior to the temporary raises. "His posts indicate that pay is the only issue because surrounding counties and municipalities offer higher salaries. This proposal addresses this presumed disparity based on the ongoing vacancies in the Sheriff's Department and the Detention Center, and replaces already approved signing bonuses currently in effect."

County government leaders said the Sheriff's Office, Department of Social Services, Health Department, EMS and others are short-staffed. They said they have sought to bump pay to meet with market demand, as well as aid in inflation and higher cost of living, but say the problem goes beyond compensation, which they said is just one factor in an increasingly difficult hiring process being experienced here and elsewhere.

In July 2021, the board approved a 5% raise for all employees. There was also a bump in moving some employees along the pay scale, at a cost of $500,000. In December 2021, a 2.1% bonus was approved for all employees working as of June 30, 2021. In January 2022, an additional 5% pay increase was approved for all employees. Detention Center employees also received a 5% pay raise in that timeframe, all in an effort to meet the market. Then the raises in December 2022 were implemented.

Causey said any other disparities were expected to be addressed by the market study.

"From the county's perspective," he said, "the market study is intended to create fairness for everyone."

Editor Chris Berendt can be reached at 910-592-8137 ext. 2587.