City proposes major salary increases to combat officer shortages

In a recent government meeting, city officials discussed critical staffing challenges within the police department, revealing that current salaries are 15% below the market average, hindering the recruitment of quality candidates. The city manager highlighted a concerning trend of attrition, predicting that by January 2025, the department could be reduced to just 148 sworn officers, with 24 vacant positions and only eight recruits.

To address these issues, a proposal was put forth to increase base salaries by 8%, which would require an annual budget allocation of approximately $1.3 million. However, due to existing vacancies, the actual fiscal impact would be reduced to about $871,000 for the first year of implementation. This adjustment aims to raise the average salary to 92% of the market rate.

Additionally, the meeting covered proposed changes to the department's training and compensation structure. A new plan for the Paid Time Off (PTO) program was introduced, which would adjust the monthly stipend for PTOs from $350 to $100, while also implementing a $50 daily training rate for officers who train recruits. This change is expected to lower training costs significantly.

The discussion also included a proposal for a nighttime differential pay of $1 per hour for officers working night shifts, which would affect 73 eligible personnel and cost nearly $200,000 annually. Furthermore, a shift from call-out pay to on-call response pay was suggested, which would increase compensation for specialized divisions, potentially raising costs by over $35,000.

Overall, the total projected cost for these salary adjustments and new compensation structures is estimated at $1.058 million, while the city’s budget currently allocates approximately $734,664 for a 4.5% pay raise. The proposals aim to enhance recruitment and retention efforts within the police department, addressing the pressing need for adequate staffing levels.