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Cramerton board approves $44,000 police base pay, appoints P&Z ad hoc committee and OKs Brownfields grant contract
Summary
The Town of Cramerton Board of Commissioners approved a $2,000 increase to raise the police base salary to $44,000 effective Jan. 1, 2022, appointed two commissioners to a Planning & Zoning ad hoc committee and approved a $3,000 contract with Withers Ravenel to assist with an EPA Brownfields grant submittal.
The Town of Cramerton Board of Commissioners voted Oct. 21 to raise the base pay for police officers and approved several administrative actions.
The board approved a $2,000 increase to the police base salary, bringing the starting pay to $44,000 effective Jan. 1, 2022. The increase, proposed to improve recruitment and retention, passed on a 5–0 vote after discussion about market pressures and training-based pay differentials. Police Chief Brad Adams told the board the department is losing officers and supported the adjustment; he later thanked the board for the increase.
The pay change was described to apply to officers sworn and certified directly out of Basic Law Enforcement Training; the Town Manager said the increase would require a budget amendment. Commissioner Abernathy moved the salary motion and Commissioner Helms seconded it.
On other actions, the board appointed Commissioner Helms and Commissioner Neeley, along with Mayor Will Cauthen, to a Planning & Zoning appointment committee to consider vacancies on the town’s Planning & Zoning Board. That motion passed 5–0.
The board also approved a contract with consulting firm Withers Ravenel to assist staff with administration and submittal of an EPA Brownfields grant. Town Manager David Pugh said the town had worked with Representative Fox’s office previously and encouraged staff and board members to contact Sen. Richard Burr’s or Sen. Thom Tillis’s offices for support; Withers Ravenel’s fee for the submission was listed as $3,000. Commissioner Atkinson moved approval of the contract; Mayor Pro Tempore Koutsoupias seconded and the motion passed 5–0.
Votes at a glance
- Police base pay increase to $44,000, effective Jan. 1, 2022. Motion by Commissioner Abernathy; second by Commissioner Helms. Vote: 5–0 (yes:5, no:0). - Planning & Zoning ad hoc appointment (Mayor Cauthen; Commissioners Helms and Neeley). Motion by Commissioner Abernathy; second by Commissioner Helms. Vote: 5–0 (yes:5, no:0). - Contract with Withers Ravenel for EPA Brownfields grant assistance ($3,000). Motion by Commissioner Atkinson; second by Mayor Pro Tempore Koutsoupias. Vote: 5–0 (yes:5, no:0).
What’s next
The Town Manager said the police pay change would require a budget amendment and staff will present necessary budget adjustments. Withers Ravenel will proceed with the Brownfields application and staff were asked to contact federal offices to support the submittal.