By Stan Matthews
County Communications Program Manager

San Juan County and the San Juan County Sheriff’s guild announced Nov. 3 that they had agreed to a one-year labor contract extension.

In a news release the Sheriff’s Guild said it had  approached San Juan County in August with an offer to extend the current contract for one year with the provision of a 0% Cost of Living Adjustment, and keeping the rest of the terms of the contract the same.

The release said the Sheriff’s Guild made the offer because of the current economic problems and the pressures these issues have caused to the County’s budget.

“The Sheriff’s Guild is concerned that any further cuts in the County’s budget may affect the safety of the public and of the membership of the Guild.  Based on a 3% COLA, this agreement should save San Juan County $60,000 in payroll over the next year,” it said.