Council pauses hiring decision for new police officer after members cite stormwater cost concerns

Union City Borough Council discussed the status of a prospective full-time police officer during its July 23, 2024 meeting, but did not advance a hiring action.

Mayor Robert Wolf said the borough "owes the candidate an explanation for having him go through all this testing and evaluations," and noted the candidate was expected to continue testing with a consortium. Wolf indicated the candidate is "a good candidate," but that council needed to clarify next steps after a motion to hire had failed.

Councilor Melissa Winkler said she had not been aware the borough was seeking to hire another officer and expressed concern that unanticipated stormwater repair costs influenced the decision. Councilor James Kerns also cited stormwater-related expenses as a factor in council deliberations.

Public comment included a question from Jeremy Sterling of Centerville, who asked council about the decision not to hire another officer and what would result from that decision. Council told Sterling the topic would be discussed later in the meeting; the minutes show the subsequent mayor-and-council discussion but do not record any hiring motion being adopted.

The minutes record the police chief provided a June 2024 report earlier in the agenda; no staffing motions or final hiring actions were recorded in the public portion of the meeting. The council proceeded to other agenda items and ultimately adjourned the public session at 6:38 p.m., with an executive session on personnel and contracts following (6:42–7:37 p.m.) in which no action was taken.