Walton Sheriff Takes Fight For More Pay Online

LOGANVILLE, GA — Walton County's sheriff has taken the fight for better pay for his staff members onto social media.

In a Facebook post Wednesday morning, the sheriff's office official account promoted Sheriff Joe Chapman's request to county commissioners for a 10 percent pay raise for all deputies and jail staff.

"This will only begin to bring us to where surrounding counties are however, some commissioners oppose even this," the post reads.

The post says that the sheriff's office is "losing deputies and jail staff at an alarming rate" because Walton doesn't pay nearly as much as surrounding counties.

Last month, Walton County deputies responded to 5,921 calls and conducted safety checks at 7,028 buildings, according to the sheriff's office.

The post included a link to a letter written by Walton County Commission member Mark Banks to his fellow commissioners.

"I am one commissioner who believed it is time to stand behind our officers, not only with our moral support and prayers, but with financial support as well ... ," Banks wrote. "I am usually not in favor of tax increases, however, this is one that I support regardless of any present or future political aspirations."

Walton County's Board of Commissioners approved amendments to the county's 2017 fiscal year budget at a meeting on Tuesday night and is now considering the 2018 budget.

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