Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Grundy Center council discusses proposed FY2025 wage increases and police staffing needs
Summary
At a July 1, 2024 work session, the Grundy Center City Council reviewed a wage survey and discussed raising employee pay for fiscal 2025 (EMS +10%, other departments +5%), using reserve funds to cover about $20,000 in additional payroll costs; police staffing and shift changes were raised as retention concerns.
The Grundy Center City Council on July 1, 2024, reviewed results of a recent wage survey and discussed proposed pay increases for city employees as officials prepared the fiscal year 2025 levy. Mayor Paul Eberline opened the work session at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers and said every city employee “deserves a substantial boost in wage,” adding the city would use reserve funds to cover additional pay while setting the tax levy for FY2025.
City Clerk Kristy Sawyer reviewed survey data identifying positions that fall below the area market rate. Council member Smith proposed increasing wages for emergency medical services departments by 10% and for other departments by 5%; Smith said the change would be “about $20,000” more than the amount currently budgeted and called the adjustment “doable.”
Discussion then turned to police compensation and staffing. Officials said police wages need a market adjustment to retain current officers. Mayor Eberline raised potential operational changes — including adding more reserve officers and moving from 12-hour shifts to 8- or 10-hour schedules — and warned that shortening shifts could require hiring and training “more than four officers.”
Interim Chief Natvig told the council the department must be flexible in July because one officer will be on vacation and three officers will be scheduled; the chief also noted Officer Oberle is expected to complete the academy in mid-August. Council member Mcdonald said the council’s goal should be to build “a police force that other departments look up to,” framing the staffing and pay discussion as tied to departmental performance and morale.
No formal action on wage increases or staffing changes was taken during the work session. Council member Smith moved to adjourn at 6:15 p.m.; Rasmussen seconded and the motion passed on a 5-0 vote. Clerk Kristy Sawyer attested the meeting record. The council’s next regular meeting is noted as July 1, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. in the minutes.
