CLEVELAND, Tenn. — After asking county commissioners this spring to shift money around to buy fuel for patrol cars, Bradley County Sheriff Tim Gobble handed out almost $75,000 departmental bonuses at the end of the fiscal year.

Finance Committee chairman Ed Elkins raised the topic Wednesday at the committee meeting.

“We know all the discussions we have had. We all remember the lawsuit,” Mr. Elkins said, referring to the sheriff’s unsuccessful petition last year seeking more money for salaries and other needs.

The sheriff’s department has asked the committee to OK budget transfers from payroll to other expenses such as fuel. The committee approved some and denied others.

The bonuses were paid from money budgeted for unfilled positions, especially in the corrections division, department officials reported to the committee.

Later Wednesday, Sheriff Gobble said the $450 bonuses went to employees below the rank of captain with at least a year of service. It is a way to reward longevity and professionalism since there is no merit pay plan for the officers, the sheriff said.

Salary disparity with surrounding law enforcement agencies was a major point in the sheriff’s court petition.

Committee member Jim Smith asked why the sheriff didn’t turn in extra money from the unfilled positions at the end of the fiscal year.

Mr. Gobble said the fact that he turned in $525,000 to the county the previous year was used against him in court. He has since learned that money budgeted for salaries can be used at his discretion.

“I chose to reward our people for the very hard work they do,” Mr. Gobble said, “and I plan to do it again next year if the money is available.”

Meanwhile, he said, turnover has slowed because starting pay has been raised to $30,000, a $6,000 annual increase.

“I think people will appreciate this when they know our deputies risk their lives every day for our safety and realize how little the deputies get paid,” Sheriff Gobble said.

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