Sheriff Gets $12k Salary Boost to Manage Division He Already Oversees

Page County Sheriff Chadwick W. “Chad” CubbagePhoto byPage County Sheriff's Office - Luray, Virginia

LURAY, Va. – On October 7, 2024, the Page County Board of Supervisors (BOS) voted in favor of providing additional compensation to the sheriff for overseeing a division already under his command.

Earlier this year, Page County Sheriff Chad Cubbage presented the BOS with a brief overview of animal control and his supervision of the department – noting that the state does not require sheriffs to oversee animal control.

Cubbage claimed that while previous Page County sheriffs were compensated for this role, he has not. In a letter included in the June 17 BOS agenda packet, Cubbage argued that “the demands of overseeing animal control operations, particularly in a rural farming community often extend beyond regular duties, requiring additional time, effort and expertise.”

Cubbage’s statement went on to say that the PSCO fielded 1,373 animal control calls in 2023, requiring "a significant commitment of resources and attention."

The sheriff requested that his yearly salary be increased by $18,000 to continue overseeing the animal control division. Otherwise, his statement read, he would turn the department over to the county.

During a previous meeting, board members discussed options, including establishing funding contributions from the towns of Luray, Stanley and Shenandoah, since the county's animal control officers respond to calls in all three towns.

In attendance at the October 7 meeting were Supervisors Keith Guzy (District 1), Allen Louderback (District 2), Isaac Smelser (District 4) and Chairman Keith Weakley. Supervisor Ryan Cubbage (District 3) joined the meeting by phone.

Board members considered draft agreements, which outlined annual financial contributions required from each town based on the number of calls to each municipality. The board also considered an updated petition from Cubbage, who reduced his pay bump request to $12,000.

Town managers and police chiefs from the towns of Luray, Stanley and Shenandoah collectively voiced opposition to sharing the cost of animal control. The police departments in these towns frequently respond to animal control calls in their own municipalities and often work in cooperation with the sheriff's department.

Ultimately supervisors voted 4-to-1 (with Supervisor Guzy dissenting), to use $12,000 of board reserve funds toward Cubbage’s salary for continuing to oversee animal control.

It is unclear why the discussion of animal control compensation was only introduced more than eight years into Cubbage’s tenure. It is also unclear what specific oversight he performs for the division.

Cubbage was re-elected for his third term as sheriff of Page County in November of 2023.