The council voted to approve a resolution authorizing the chief of police to pay $10,000 hiring bonuses to previously certified law-enforcement officers when hired by the city.

Police Chief Justin James told the council the department is currently at full staff with 125 sworn officers but experiences regular turnover as officers retire or accept other positions. "We're currently at full staff... it's hard to stay there with the trickle out, you know, retirees this month, the following month," Chief James said, noting the bonus helps recruit certified officers who can begin street duties sooner and may need funds to pay off training obligations to prior employers.

Chief James said the bonus is part of an ongoing staffing strategy: certified officers arrive on the street faster and avoid academy costs. He gave an example that the city expects to lose one officer to Mills County but is prepared to extend an offer to a certified candidate to fill the vacancy. Council members said the policy had been discussed in a prior study session and approved at this meeting; the motion to approve carried on a voice vote.

Action: Resolution 25-184 authorizing $10,000 hiring bonuses for previously certified officers was approved.