Council hears police staffing pressures and discusses training-reimbursement conditions

Columbia Falls staff told the council workshop that the police department has run below its budgeted patrol staffing level in recent years, contributing to sustained overtime costs, and outlined hiring and contract tools intended to reduce that overtime.

Staff said the city has budgeted for 12 patrol positions in recent years but has operated with fewer officers, requiring substantial overtime. The presentation said current hiring efforts include recruiting lateral candidates to reduce training time and overtime expense.

Workshop discussion also covered training reimbursement agreements. Staff described a prior lateral hire from Lewis and Clark County and said Lewis and Clark agreed to pay roughly two-thirds of academy costs for that officer. Staff said the city plans to use written contract provisions for future hires that obligate employees to repay or otherwise account for training costs if they leave employment within a specified period; staff indicated three-year terms would be used in some training agreements for positions that require external certification or CDL training.

No formal motions or council votes were taken; staff said policy language and contract language on training-cost reimbursement will be developed and enforced across departments where applicable.