On or before the first Monday in April in each year, commencing in the calendar year 2016, and ending in the calendar year 2020, the representatives of the County and the representatives of the Deputy Sheriffs Association shall jointly certify to the Board of Supervisors the highest pay rate in effect as of January 31 of that year for deputy sheriffs in the counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, Santa Clara, Solano and Sonoma. The terms “pay”, “rates of pay”, and “pay rates” are hereby defined and intended to include the maximum rate of base pay provided in each of the above jurisdictions for deputy sheriff positions equating to the classification of Deputy Sheriff in the County of San Mateo. Unresolved disputes regarding the interpretation or application of this paragraph shall be resolved by submission to a jointly chosen, neutral arbitrator whose decisions shall be final and binding on the parties and shall be submitted to the Board of Supervisors. The Board of Supervisors shall thereupon fix the rates of pay of the classification of Deputy Sheriff at 1% above the highest pay rate specified in this survey. Such rates of pay shall be fixed to be effective as of the first day of the first full pay period in January of each year. The County shall not reduce salaries during the term of this agreement.

Salary increases for the classification of Sheriff’s Correctional Officer shall be set at eighty-five percent (85%) of the Deputy Sheriff’s salary. This salary will be effective the first day of the first full pay period in January of each year commencing in the calendar year 2016 once the Deputy Sheriff’s salary for the calendar year has been set. For Correctional Officers hired before April 24, 2005 their salary will be frozen at their present salary range until the salary assigned to the current Correctional Officer classification equals or exceeds their current pay rate.

Salary increases for the classification of District Attorney Inspector shall be effective the first full pay period in January of each year commencing in the calendar year 2016. Such salary increases shall be the same percentage as that of Deputy Sheriffs, as described above.