A union contract has been reached between the Deschutes County Sheriff Employee’s Association (DCSEA) and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office. Deschutes County Commissioners approved the contract which was ratified by the DCSEA on Monday. Sheriff Nelson and the Employee Association were able to reach an agreement in record time. The approval of the contract will boost the Sheriff’s Office recruitment program and gives sworn personnel a 2% pay increase and non-sworn personnel an additional step that will increase their pay based on their years of service. The terms of the contract include medical insurance benefits after 25 years of service with the Sheriff’s Office for employees in a sworn in deputy position who are eligible to retire in PERS. Currently all Deschutes County employees are eligible for this benefit after 30 years of service.