Lancaster council approves second reading of ordinance to add three grant-funded public-safety positions

The Lancaster City Council approved the second reading of Ordinance 25-0-1, an amendment to the city operating budget for fiscal year 2024 that adds three grant-funded positions and reclassifies one police position.

Staff told the council the amendment adds three positions funded by grant dollars and carries a three-month fiscal impact of $64,415 for salary, retirement and benefits. The three roles listed in the amendment are a community liaison officer at the rank of sergeant, a gang investigator at the rank of sergeant, and a program coordinator (grade 2-11). Staff also said the police chief requested that detective lieutenant positions be reclassified as administrative lieutenant positions; that change does not alter pay grade or salary.

During the discussion the police chief described the community-liaison role as intended to bring a closer day-to-day connection between the police and residents, explaining the position would handle community events and increase engagement while allowing patrol personnel to focus on core functions. "It's really to try to get closer and have more interactions with the public," the chief said.

A council member asked whether the $64,415 figure covered all three positions; staff confirmed the amount represented three months of costs for the three positions. Staff also said grant funds previously discussed by the council — a nearly $4.9 million package mentioned in the meeting — include funding for the positions and that initial grant transfers were in place to begin payroll for those posts.

Council members moved and seconded approval for the ordinance second reading; the clerk called the roll and the motion passed.

The ordinance amendment takes effect as approved; staff said the positions are grant-funded and will be carried in the budget for the remainder of the grant period unless circumstances change.