Lenoir City officer urges higher pay to stem staffing shortages

Officer Zach Palmer, a dayshift patrol officer and public information officer with the Lenoir City Police Department, told the council during public comment that the department is struggling with recruitment and retention and urged elected officials to approve a pay increase for officers. "The proposed pay raise would provide meaningful relief to our officers and their families while also helping address the department's recruitment and retention needs," Palmer said.

Palmer described daily stresses on officers and cited national and state trends to underline the local impact: he referenced Bureau of Justice Statistics figures showing thousands of officer vacancies and a 2024 Tennessee Municipal Week study reporting difficulty filling municipal policing positions. He said smaller agencies such as Lenoir City are particularly vulnerable because they cannot match top pay offered by larger agencies and state troopers.

The council’s first-reading budget ordinance for fiscal 2026–27 includes a $5,000 increase plus 3% for public safety employees and a $1,000 plus 3% increase for other city employees, proposals that administration said are intended to improve competitiveness and retain staff. City administration also warned of steep insurance-premium increases that have affected the budget.

Palmer closed by saying he appreciates the council’s past support for the department and asked members to approve the raises. The council approved the budget on first reading; further action on the budget will occur at the council’s subsequent readings and meetings.