Pay raises for Merced County deputies were necessary for public safety | Opinion

In 2014, a Merced County Deputy Sheriff earned a base salary of $64,916.80. In 2025, that same role earns $99,840 — a 54% increase in just over a decade (this percentage includes all rank-and-file deputies as well as the sheriff’s leadership team, sergeants, lieutenants, captains and the under-sheriff).

On the surface, that kind of growth might raise eyebrows. But behind those numbers is a much bigger story, one of changing public safety needs, rising costs and leadership that’s willing to face tough realities rather than ignore them. Sheriff Vern Warnke and I were both elected in 2014. Over the years, we’ve built a strong working relationship — one grounded in trust, transparency and a shared commitment to protecting this county. We haven’t always agreed. In fact, some of our most productive conversations have been the hard ones. But through it all, we’ve worked to find practical solutions for the challenges facing law enforcement in Merced County. And there have been many.

Deputy recruitment and retention have been uphill battles — not just here, but across California. Larger counties offer more money. Fewer people are entering the profession.

Meanwhile, our deputies are asked to handle everything from mental health crises to fentanyl overdoses, often in increasingly volatile situations. The demands of the job have grown. The pressure has intensified. And the pool of qualified candidates has shrunk. That’s why the Merced County Board of Supervisors took action. A 10% pay raise in 2024 marked a major step forward, but it followed years of study, negotiation and prioritizing public safety in a very tight budget environment. We didn’t take these decisions lightly. Every dollar we invest in one area is a dollar we can’t spend somewhere else. But if we don’t invest in public safety, who will?

We’re also tackling infrastructure: Merced County is building a new jail facility at Sandy Mush, replacing an aging structure that no longer meets the needs of modern corrections. And we’re in the planning stages for a new Sheriff’s Administration building, a much-needed upgrade that will help our department operate more efficiently and effectively.

At the same time, the State of California has made our job harder. By closing state prisons and pushing long-term inmates into local jails, Sacramento has shifted the burden — and the cost — to counties like ours. We’re now managing populations and risks we weren’t originally built to handle. That creates operational stress, safety concerns and enormous financial pressure. Add in rising health care costs, and our county budget becomes a tightrope walk every single year. Despite all of that, we’ve made progress: We’ve invested in our deputies and our facilities. And we’ve committed, through open communication and focused leadership, to building a safer, stronger Merced County. Some may look at the current base salary for a deputy and think it’s too high. Others say it’s not nearly enough. But here’s what I know: If you want skilled, committed professionals protecting your community, they need fair pay, modern tools and the respect that comes from being treated like the essential public servants they are.

Ten years in office has taught me that the best outcomes happen when leaders stay at the table, have the hard conversations and never lose sight of who they serve.

Merced County Supervisor Daron McDaniel represents District 3.