Burdened by tens of thousands of dollars in overtime pay for corrections officers, Schuylkill County is trying to get - and keep - more part-timers.

Last month, officers racked up $38,397 in overtime pay.But part-timers are limited to 20 hours a week, working when they are needed, and that discourages people from applying for the jobs and committing to them, Warden Eugene Berdanier said at a Prison Board meeting Wednesday."They are discouraged because of the hours, and they are seeking employment elsewhere," Berdanier said.He said some of the part-timers didn't work when asked, especially around the holidays.That's when they are most needed because full-time officers typically take time off then.Chairman George F. Halcovage Jr. said board called for a meeting with Berdanier, county Administrator Gary R. Bender and Finance Director Paul E. Buber to discuss whether increasing the number of hours the part-timers could work.Berdanier also said that he'd like to add more part-timers to further cut overtime and because of vacancies.Currently, there are two full-time and one part-time officers off duty on extended medical leave. There are three part-time jobs unfilled, he said.First Deputy Controller Ron Zimmerman said the hours need to be restricted to avoid having to pay pensions and health benefits."What harm would there be from them going on the pension plan? They're not going to generate a lot of pension rights working part time," said President Judge William E. Baldwin.Halcovage said that health benefits also kick in at 30 hours a week.The county has seven part-timers now, and would like to have 10.The cost to train each is $622, Berdanier said."We pay a lot of money to train these people. It would be better to get more use out of them than paying more overtime," Baldwin said.The issue surfaced when Baldwin asked if the part-timers were helping ease the overtime burden.