Garfield County is now offering a $10,000 hiring bonus to new sheriff's office employees.
The Post Independent reports that Garfield County Commissioners on Monday approved the sing-on bonuses that will begin Jan. 1.
New deputies with at least two years of experience will be given $10,000 over the course of two years. Right after signing, deputies will get $5,000. After one year they will get another $3,000 and on their two-year anniversary they will receive the final $2,000.
Sheriff Lou Vallario says the bonus should give qualified applicants an incentive to move to Garfield County, reducing the number of vacancies and helping new employees.
Sheriff's spokesman Walt Stowe says pay for deputies ranges between $23.35 and $35.03 per hour, and the rate will remain the same after the bonuses.