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Council approves five‑year off‑duty police contract with Grand Island Casino Resort
Summary
The City Council approved a five‑year contract allowing off‑duty, uniformed Grand Island police officers to work at the Grand Island Casino Resort, after staff said the arrangement is intended as a full pass‑through reimbursement and councilors raised concerns about possible taxpayer subsidization and officer burnout.
The Grand Island City Council on Jan. 13 approved a five‑year agreement permitting off‑duty, uniformed Grand Island police officers to work security at the Grand Island Casino Resort.
Chief Denny told the council the contract formalizes an existing practice of off‑duty officers working at the casino and is structured so the city is reimbursed for officers’ pay and benefits. “This is just 5 year contract to do, off duty, essentially, in uniform police officers, Grand Island police officers with the casino,” Chief Denny said, adding the arrangement is a pass‑through with “no financial impact to the city.”
Why it matters: Councilors said the contract could provide visible deterrence and ease demands on on‑duty patrols during peak events, while also creating questions about fairness and fiscal accuracy. Council member Lanfear and others described off‑duty policing as beneficial for public engagement and deterrence; Council member Hazy said he worried the city would be subsidizing the casino and that officers could face overtime burnout.
Council member Hazy argued the city’s benefit rate appears closer to 45% on average and said he did not want taxpayers effectively subsidizing private security. Chief Denny responded that payroll and finance would calculate the exact rate for each officer and the department would ask for “100% reimbursement from the casino.” Patrick Brown, the city administrator, added that payroll systems include benefits and workers’ compensation when calculating rates.
Councilors also pressed for limits on scheduling and protections against overuse of off‑duty assignments. Chief Denny said staffing patrol shifts is the highest priority and that sergeants and lieutenants would control off‑duty scheduling so officers would not be required to work in a way that undermines regular patrol coverage.
The council moved, seconded and voted to approve the contract (motion to approve 2026‑7). The meeting record shows the motion was adopted.
What’s next: The contract will govern off‑duty scheduling and reimbursement terms; staff said payroll and division chiefs will manage sign‑ups and reimbursement accounting going forward.
