Town leaders discuss staffing challenges and raise adjustments for first responders

The Matthews Board of Commissioners is grappling with staffing challenges and budget allocations in a recent budget workshop, highlighting the urgent need for competitive salaries to attract and retain law enforcement and emergency personnel.

During the meeting, officials acknowledged a concerning vacancy rate within the police department, attributing it to a mix of high expectations for new hires and competitive pressures from neighboring agencies. "We have a high expectation of who we want to work here," one commissioner noted, emphasizing the difficulty in maintaining a fully staffed department amid rising competition for talent.

To address these staffing issues, Commissioner McCool proposed a restructuring of the budgeted salary increases, suggesting a shift from a 3% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) and 3% merit increase to a 4% COLA and 2% merit increase. This change aims to enhance base salaries, making the town more attractive to potential hires while still rewarding performance. "It's a good morale boost to say that we're seeing them, we're listening," McCool stated, highlighting the importance of acknowledging the financial pressures faced by first responders.

While the proposal received support, concerns were raised about the potential impact on retirement contributions and internal equity among employees. The discussion underscored the delicate balance between offering competitive salaries and maintaining a fair pay structure for existing staff.

In addition to salary discussions, the board explored the need for a unified software system to streamline operations across various departments. Currently, the town utilizes siloed software packages, which can complicate efficiency and data management. The board is considering options to integrate these systems, although there are concerns about the risks of relying on a single software provider.

As the meeting concluded, the board recognized the importance of addressing both staffing and operational efficiency to ensure the town can effectively serve its community. The proposed salary adjustments and software integration efforts are expected to be key topics in upcoming discussions as the board seeks to finalize the budget.