Lancaster approves Ordinance 26-01 to reclassify starting pay for recruit police and firefighters

The Lancaster City Council on the first work session of 2026 approved Ordinance 26-01, amending the FY2025–26 operating budget to reclassify starting pay so the city can advertise higher starting salaries for recruit police officers and firefighters.

City staff, represented in the meeting by Hufless, said the change would let Lancaster compete with neighboring jurisdictions for entry-level recruits. "They would be still considered a recruit," Hufless said, adding that nearby Chester is advertising starting pay around $56,000 while Lancaster had been offering about $50,000 to recruits. "It will put us more in a competitive position because we have lost some potential recruits to Chester," Hufless said.

Council members cited the need to retain and attract qualified public-safety personnel but warned of downstream consequences. "We know sometimes when we adjust salaries, there is a snowball effect," Council Member Jackie Harris said, urging the council to prepare for further adjustments across pay scales. Mayor Megan Deveny noted the city's service quality while acknowledging pay competition: "I really wanted to see you on the ice… but it was good to see you out and about," Deveny said in broader remarks about community engagement and service quality.

The ordinance—described by staff as a reclassification of the recruit pay category rather than a change to minimum certified-officer or firefighter pay—was moved, seconded and approved on a roll-call vote. Council members expressed support for balancing competitive pay with fiscal prudence; staff and council agreed to monitor effects on other salary schedules.

The ordinance was approved by unanimous roll call. Next procedural steps: staff will implement the new advertised starting pay levels and monitor recruitment and compensation impacts during the coming budget cycle.