Hall County's Board of Commissioners on Thursday gave its blessing to the next chief deputy of the Hall County Sheriff's Office.

Top county officials said they will put the finishing touches today on an employment contract for retired sheriff's office Maj. Tony Carter, offering the former employee a salary that takes into account the retirement benefits he already receives.

"We made modifications to the salary based on a previous salary of a person who held the position and including what (Carter's) receiving in retirement," County Administrator Randy Knighton said. "The salary was reduced from what the current position would have been paid."

Carter will continue receiving his roughly $3,500 a month in retirement benefits, but his salary was altered to total approximately $88,000 annually, figures confirmed by Commission Chairman Tom Oliver. Knighton didn't release salary details pending the signing of the contract.

Once Carter's contract becomes official, he is expected to assume the roles of chief deputy and commander of Sheriff's Services — positions previously held by Col. Jeff Strickland and Maj. Ramone Gilbert, respectively.

Knighton motioned on behalf of Sheriff Steve Cronic to authorize Carter's employment agreement, which resulted in unanimous approval from the board.

"This position will oversee various factions within the sheriff's department and the cost savings would be realized because it would be filling two positions," Knighton said.

Compared to Strickland's figure of $140,000 annually, which includes benefits, Carter's total package will be $130,000.

Prior to his retirement in October 2004, Carter served as chief deputy, a position he held since 1983. He first joined the sheriff's office in 1972 as a jailer.

"I appreciate Sheriff Cronic's offer to lead the men and women of the Hall County Sheriff's Office," Carter said in a release.

The sheriff's office also assigned Capt. Woodrow Tripp as major of Police Services. Currently he is the commander of the Criminal Investigation Division.