Council clears advertising for new police hires but says budget amendment needed before staffing

Helena City Council voted to allow advertisement for two sets of police positions under revised base pay levels, but members said the city must still adopt a budget amendment before new officers can be placed on the payroll.

Council members discussed a plan to advertise entry-level and patrol openings at the rates presented to the council and emphasized that staffing the department fully — and then completing a second phase within 60 days — was the intended timeline according to staff commentary in the meeting. Multiple council members and staff cautioned that hiring a few officers without the full staffing and associated funding would “crash the budget” because overtime savings would not materialize until more positions are filled.

The city attorney advised the council that confirming base pay changes that allow posting the vacancies should be done at the meeting; several council members repeated that advertising the positions was distinct from actually funding those positions. Treasurer Mr. Turner provided updated financial reports later in the meeting, and council members agreed a budget meeting must be held to consider a budget amendment before the hires are placed on the payroll.

Minutes of the meeting record a prior motion to hire police officers at a base pay ordinance; the motion language appears in the minutes as recorded and the item was placed on the council’s agenda for further action. The transcript shows the council directed staff to advertise at the approved rates and to return with budget details; it does not record any hires being placed on payroll at this meeting.

The discussion made clear the council’s sequence: (1) confirm base pay and permit advertising, (2) hold a budget meeting with updated treasury data, and (3) pass any necessary budget amendment before personnel are appointed or begin work.

Questions raised by council members focused on timing and payroll impact: if only one or two officers are hired initially, overtime costs could increase instead of decrease, triggering fiscal stress. Staff recommended a “slow-walk” approach — advertise now but implement hires only when the amendment and full staffing plan are in place.

Ending: Council members agreed to meet again for a budget session (council referenced a meeting “next Tuesday” during the discussion) and to add the base-pay changes and related budget amendment to a forthcoming agenda so the hiring process can proceed once funding is secured.