Tooele approves larger SRO retention bonus and employer pickup of public-safety pension contributions

Tooele City Council on June 18 approved two measures aimed at retaining public‑safety personnel: a higher SRO retention bonus for school‑assigned officers and a resolution to pick up required employee retirement contributions for Tier‑2 public‑safety members.

Human resources director Cammie Perkins explained the city began a retention-bonus program for school resource officers two years ago and is increasing the bonus to $5,000 for officers who serve a full school season. Perkins said the bonus is intended to offset lost overtime and other pay patrol officers might earn while assigned to schools. The council approved Resolution 2025-37 on a unanimous 4–0 vote. The resolution also authorizes prorated payment if an officer leaves midseason and provides for adding Deseret Peak High School to the SRO program; the chief has requested one full‑time sergeant be assigned to the SRO team.

Separately, the council adopted Resolution 2025-38 to pick up and pay the full required employee contribution for Tooele City police and fire personnel who are Tier‑2 members of the Utah State retirement public safety and firefighter contributory plan. Perkins explained the state implemented required employee contributions for Tier‑2 hybrid members; the city previously covered the public‑safety portion but had paid only the same employee share required of other staff. The new resolution (effective July 1, 2025) directs the city to pick up the full required employee contribution for qualifying public‑safety employees; the measure was placed in the FY2026 budget and approved 4–0.

Councilmembers discussed retention pressures and noted the city’s action is intended to remain competitive with neighboring jurisdictions and to stabilize assignments in schools and the department.