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Council keeps current budget; residents and officers press for police pay review
Summary
Freeport residents and council members debated police pay and bonuses during the March 17 meeting; council voted 3-2 to keep the budget as adopted in September and did not approve immediate salary adjustments.
Residents, city officials and police representatives discussed police salaries and the timing of any pay changes at the March 17 Freeport City Council meeting. The council voted to leave the fiscal-year budget as presented in September rather than adopt additional raises or bonuses immediately.
“Grossly underpaid” was the phrase used by resident Marynell Music, who cited a salary survey discussed in March 2021 and said the survey recommended raises of 6% to 23% for some positions. “The police department here has been known to be a training ground for all the other departments and agencies in the area because of the pay,” Music said, identifying long-term staffing and retention concerns.
Councilman Jarvis Davis and others said they wanted a fuller, documented calculation of the cost and a formal opportunity to meet with police leadership. “I want to make sure that we have time to meet with the police so that their association…has union representation,” Councilman Jeff Pena said during discussion, calling for a dedicated meeting to work the issue through.
City Manager Lance Petty clarified the city’s pay practice in response to a question about bonuses. Asked if the city gives bonuses, Petty replied, “Absolutely not.” He said the administration is preparing budget documents earlier for the next fiscal year and that he has met with the police chief multiple times since concerns surfaced.
A motion by Councilman Matamortis to keep the budget as presented in September, seconded by Councilman Rosso, carried 3-2. Council members who voted to retain the current budget emphasized that late-year changes would require cuts elsewhere and said a more detailed review should happen during the next budget cycle, which staff said they will start preparing in September for the October 1 fiscal year start.
Council members and residents flagged discrepancies in the city’s pay matrix and asked staff to return with precise dollar figures for requested adjustments so the council can consider amendments before the end of the fiscal year. No immediate salary changes were adopted during the meeting.
