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Council discusses budget changes and backing pay boost for crossing guards amid staffing concerns
Summary
During a May 27 budget discussion, Pleasant View officials considered several small budget adjustments and heard crossing-guard supervisors and the police chief call for higher pay to improve retention and safety. The council did not adopt the budget; a public hearing and final action are scheduled for June 10.
Pleasant View City Council reviewed proposed changes to the FY2024—25 and FY2025—26 budgets on May 27 and discussed a proposal to raise crossing-guard pay after the supervisor said recruitment has grown difficult.
Melissa Heard, Pleasant View's crossing-guard supervisor, told the council she has worked as a crossing guard for more than a decade and is struggling to recruit and retain workers under the city's current pay. "Right now, Pleasant View crossing guards are not earning wages that reflect the importance of their work," Heard said. "This is the first year that we have struggled to staff our crossing spots. It's also the first year that we've had to advertise crossing guard." Heard described guards'split shifts and exposure to weather and traffic and urged the council to adopt an hourly approach: "Most cities pay their crossing guards by the hour: one hour in the morning, one hour in the afternoon," she said.
Laurie, the city finance staff presenting budget updates, said crossing guards currently receive $10 in the morning and $10 in the afternoon for a total of $20 per day. Council members comparing neighboring jurisdictions told the council other cities pay roughly $15—17 per hour, which equates to $30—38 per day for two short shifts. Several council members signaled support for raising the local rate nearer to $30 per day; no final budget decision on the crossing-guard pay was made.
Council members also reviewed other budget adjustments presented by staff, including modest revenue updates, a proposed part-time recreation aide to support new programming, an increase for training and master-officer pay lines in the police department and adjustments related to Founders Day and recreation programming. Staff reported the city will hold a public hearing on the FY2025—26 budget on June 10; the council closed the May 27 hearing and deferred final action to the June meeting after tax-rate information arrives from the county.
Chief Talbot said officer recruitment and retention remain a priority and that a stronger internal career progression and wellness program are also part of broader retention work; no immediate salary changes were adopted at the meeting. Council members asked staff to return with specific pay options, recruitment strategies and estimated budget impacts for their next meeting.
