Turnover key issue at Butler County sheriff candidates’ forum

At a forum Thursday night, Butler County Sheriff Kelly Herzet received withering criticism from opponents in the GOP primary who held him responsible for what they say is unacceptably high turnover among deputies.

But all four of the Republican candidates seemed to agree on one thing: that deputies deserve higher pay. And they held the county commissioners who control the budget responsible for that.

In the Aug. 2 GOP primary for Butler County sheriff, Herzet faces three challengers: Walker Andrews, Curtis Cox and Mike Holton. No Democrats are running. Andrews is a former Wichita police lieutenant, Cox a sheriff’s deputy running against his boss, and Holton an El Dorado police sergeant trying to oust his former employer.

The forum, at Andover City Hall, was hosted by the Andover Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors. About 75 people listened to the sheriff’s candidates.

Herzet blamed some of the turnover on retirements.

Holton said an “unprecedented amount of turnover” in the past two and a half years is the biggest issue in the election. He said he left the sheriff’s department two and a half years ago “because of what I felt was a lack of leadership.”

Cox said the Sheriff’s Office can’t be as effective as it could be until open spots are filled.

Holton said the agency is not staying competitive with what surrounding agencies pay.

Herzet said he has sought higher pay for his staff over the past four years.

“I think the commissioners are finally seeing that we can’t compete,” Herzet said. The commissioners set the budget, he noted.

Cox pointed out that Butler County has lots of wide-open spaces where a deputy has to respond alone to calls, and he questioned whether starting pay of $14.70 an hour is worth risking one’s life.

Andrews agreed. He looked out at the audience and asked how many people would put themselves in a dangerous situation for $14.70 per hour. Deputies need more money, he said. “This is where the people of Butler County have got to put their foot down,” he said.

“You know what? Sheriff Herzet can only do so much. … You got to back the blue, folks, because they took an oath to protect every one of you.”

Holton said the jail is understaffed, with deputies exhausted after having to work overtime and come in on days off.

This story was originally published July 21, 2016 at 10:19 PM with the headline "Turnover key issue at Butler County sheriff candidates’ forum."