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Gautier council approves revised police step plan to boost pay competitiveness
Summary
The Gautier City Council approved a revised step plan for certified police officers that removes year-based steps and adjusts pay to remain competitive with nearby cities; council members said the change aims to retain and recruit officers and will not immediately increase headcount.
The Gautier City Council on March 18 approved a revised step plan for certified police officers and authorized related pay adjustments.
The change eliminates year-based steps in favor of simple step levels and adjusts pay for sergeants and lieutenants to better align with surrounding cities, according to the presentation to the council. City officials said the revision is intended to make Gautier more competitive in recruiting and retaining officers without increasing headcount.
City Manager Shancy explained the technical change and its purpose, saying the prior plan used both "years" and "steps," which created undesired differences and kept the pay structure from meeting original goals. The presentation said the revisions should not affect the current budget because the city is not adding two positions to absorb the increase.
Councilman Alvin asked whether dispatchers and other staff would receive comparable adjustments in a future budget; the presenter said that question would be addressed during the next budget cycle. Councilman Anderson and others asked whether the change simply aligned pay with neighboring cities; presenters confirmed alignment was the goal.
A motion to approve the revised step plan was made by Councilman College, seconded by Councilman Alvin. The motion carried.
Council members and staff urged residents to recognize the broader state and national shortage of law enforcement officers and said the step-plan change was part of retention and recruitment efforts moving forward.
