Proposed legislation sponsored by state Sen. Chris Koster could raise deputy pay across Missouri.

Koster's "Public Safety Enhancement Fund," would provide grant money to counties that pay deputies less than $28,000 a year as of Jan. l through a $10 million grant program funded by the state's general revenue fund.

A Koster representative could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

The plan would provide counties up to $8,000 per deputy, as long as the subsidized salary does not exceed $28,000. The subsidy would go down by 25 percent over each of the next four years, meaning counties would have to raise the pay themselves over time. Those that don't could be forced to repay the grants.

To qualify for the grant, counties must agree to maintain an annual starting salary of at least $28,000 for five years after the program ends in 2011, according to the proposal.

Bollinger County chief deputy Leo McElrath doesn't know if county commissioners would agree to that based on its budget restrictions.

The department's starting salary for commissioned deputies is $19,000 annually and there are no benefits, McElrath said.

The department currently employs eight deputies, including himself, he said. It's been difficult to attract and keep deputies due to the low starting salary, and Koster's proposed legislation could alleviate that difficulty.

He said he supports the bill, not for himself, but for the younger officers who have families.

"We have a large turnover because they have no choice but to leave," McElrath said. "You can't blame them."

Cape Girardeau, Perry and Scott counties could all qualify for grant monies if county commissioners approve, as all fall below the $28,000 starting salary requirement.

Scott County starts commissioned deputies off at $27,000, Perry at $20,800 and Cape Girardeau at $23,747. Cape Giardeau County deputies just won a pay increase that will become effective July 1, adding $6,392 to starting salaries.

"If it is available to use, we'd try to get it," Scott County chief deputy Tom Beardslee said of the grant money.

Perry County Sheriff Gary Schaaf said the department loses deputies to higher-paying local police agencies that tend to pay higher starting salaries.

"I would welcome that money," he said.

The legislature is expected to take up the proposal after it convenes next month.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

carel@semissourian.com

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