LAWTON – Comanche County Sheriff- elect Michael Merritt recently received a raise, and he may see another pay increase when he takes office in January.
With little discussion, the Board of Comanche County Commissioners voted 3-0 Nov. 25 to approve a raise for Merritt. He served as the undersheriff until former Sheriff Kenny Stradley retired earlier this year, making Merritt the acting sheriff.
A Republican, Merritt was elected sheriff in the November general election.
The increase boosts Merritt’s current salary from $3,675 per month to $5,603.82 a month, effective immediately.
The commissioners acted because Stradley did not increase Merritt’s pay when he was promoted from corporal to undersheriff earlier this year, Commission Chairman Josh Powers said in a Nov. 26 email to a Southwest Ledger reporter. He added that Stradley later retired without providing notice to the board.
“This left Merritt making less money than some of his o ther employees yet has the responsibility and duties of acting sheriff,” Powers said.
The board will decide whether to approve another pay increase for Merritt after he is sworn into office in January.