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Willard swears in new officer as residents and aldermen warn of staffing shortfalls
Summary
Anthony Wayne Hickox was sworn in as a Willard police officer June 10. During citizen input and council discussion, residents and members urged the city to act on wages and retention to keep the department fully staffed amid growth.
Anthony Wayne Hickox was formally sworn in as a police officer at the June 10 meeting of the Willard Board of Aldermen, reciting the oath to support and defend the constitutions of the United States and the State of Missouri and to "faithfully discharge my duties" for the City of Willard.
During the public-comment portion, Debbie Ira, who identified herself as a Willard resident, told the board the city must do more to recruit and retain officers amid new housing and businesses. "I feel that it is a safety issue for our officers as well as our community and our citizens," Ira said, urging the mayor and aldermen "to please do whatever it takes to help bring in new officers" and to keep them in Willard. Ira also praised an officer who recently handled a difficult duty at her home on May 28.
Council members and staff discussed a personnel proposal brought forward by city administration to improve pay and introduce a shift differential to help retention. City staff presented a package combining a 5% pay adjustment with a shift-differential plan; officials estimated the near-term cost at roughly $30,000 and proposed freezing a twelfth staffed position until the end of the year while the city funds the change in next year’s budget. A motion to adopt the recommended pay-and-differential option was made and passed by roll call.
Mayor and aldermen said the measures were intended as interim steps while exploring longer-term funding options, including a possible future ballot question mentioned by staff. The board asked staff to include the ongoing cost in next year’s budget and to report back with implementation details. No further personnel votes were scheduled beyond the described motion and budget follow-up.
Next steps: staff will incorporate the adopted pay adjustments and shift-differential into payroll and the proposed 2025 budget, and officials said they will continue outreach to residents about public-safety staffing needs.
