Nicholasville approves first reading of budget amendment to raise police and fire pay

The Nicholasville City Commission on July 22 gave first reading to Ordinance 161-2024, a budget amendment to revise the fiscal 2024–25 general government budget and incorporate a new pay scale for police and fire. The amendment will advance to a second reading and further consideration before final adoption.

Bethany, a city staff member who presented the proposal, said the pay-scale adjustment relies on the Kentucky League of Cities (KLC) salary study and surveys of comparable departments across the Commonwealth. "We took [the] KLC salary study and then the salary study from, just surveying departments across the Commonwealth," she said, and described a 1.5% step between each year with wider steps as grades change.

The meeting chair summarized the amendment as reflecting "an average increase of about 8% across the board on average" for wages, salary and benefits for police and fire. Commissioners praised the step-scale approach as helping budgeting and providing predictability for employees.

Commissioners said the adjustment is intended to keep Nicholasville competitive with neighboring jurisdictions, with Bethany singling out Richmond as a local pay competitor. The ordinance was introduced as a first reading; proponents said the structured step increases are intended to align pay with years of service and grade progression.

The motion for first reading was made, seconded and approved on roll call. Commissioners who responded during the roll call included Mister Carter, Miss Teeter, Mister Sutherland and Miss Brown recording affirmative votes.

The ordinance will return for a required second reading before the commission takes a final vote to adopt the budget amendment.