The Cranberry Eagle
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 Article published January 16, 2013

2-year deal approved for probation officers
They get 3% pay hike each year

By Tom Victoria
Eagle Staff Writer

The Butler County commissioners on Wednesday approved a new two-year contract for the 35 county probation officers that includes a 3 percent pay hike each year.
The contract is retroactive to Jan. 1.
While the pay raises were set, some provisions of the contract, automatic promotion after 12 years and on-call pay, were separated out for arbitration to be decided later.
Following the commissioners meeting, the county salary board, which is comprised of the three commissioners and the county controller, approved the officers’ 3 percent pay increases.
The commissioners also approved an agreement with the United Way of Butler County to use the 211 nonemergency system.
This will allow the county’s 911 dispatch center to transfer nonemergency calls regarding human services needs to the 211 system.
In turn, the 211 system will be able to transfer emergency calls to the county dispatch center.
The cost is a one-time $250 charge for a computer license.
Steve Bicehouse, county emergency services director, said the agreement enables dispatchers not to be tied up with nonemergency calls.
“It frees up our dispatchers from handling those calls,” he said.
Bicehouse said in an interview that the 911-211 network would be fully operational in a few months, but would be used before then during emergencies.
Among the information the 211 system handles are: avoiding homelessness, finding employment, counseling, accessing health care, helping with children and youth issues, and aiding with disaster response, such as road closures and shelter sites.