Commissioners table merit pay increase for embattled jail commander

ASOTIN, WA – Asotin County Commissioners today tabled a Merit Pay increase for Asotin County Jail Commander Jon Singleton because commissioners did not receive job evaluations for the previous two years of his employment. Commissioner Brian Shinn says pursuant to the county’s personnel policy, they have “no way to make a decision without the evaluations” for 2011 and 2012 and there will be no action on the matter until they are provided to them. It is unknown if the evaluations were conducted. According to the commissioner’s office, merit employees are eligible for the increase every two years. The 47-year-old Singleton spent four months on paid administrative leave after he allegedly became agitated and made threats against Prosecutor Ben Nichols at the Asotin County Courthouse in September. The Attorney General’s Office filed a harassment charge against Singleton following an investigation by the Washington State Patrol. Under the deferred prosecution, the charge will be stricken from Singleton’s record if he follows the rules outlined by the court for the next 12 months, including undergo anger management classes and pay a fine of $500. Singleton returned to his position as jail commander on January 24th.

Mia Carlson, news director for KZBG in Clarkston, wrote this report.