Grundy Center council adopts new police pay scale and authorizes posting for vacancy

The Grundy Center City Council voted Monday to publish a vacancy for a police officer and to put in place an updated wage schedule intended to strengthen recruitment.

Mayor Paul Eberline said the Finance Committee reviewed pay scales from peer cities and recommended new starting rates. Under the approved schedule, the Chief of Police would start at $35.00 per hour; police captain $32.75 per hour; senior patrol officer $32.50 per hour; certified officer $30.00 per hour; uncertified officer $28.00 per hour with a $2.00 per hour increase once certified; a $0.50 per hour annual step increase up to five years; certified part‑time officers at $27.00 per hour; non‑certified part‑time reserves at $25.00 per hour.

Councilmember Smith said raising wages is intended to "increase the attractiveness of our department for the officers we need," and Councilmember Rasmussen noted the city may secure subsidy contracts with Grundy County Memorial Hospital and the Grundy Center School District to offset costs.

Councilmembers debated funding for the increases. City officials said reserves will cover the immediate costs until a proposed property tax levy increase for fiscal 2026 is considered during the next budget cycle. Councilmember Lamp asked whether all city positions would receive market adjustments; Smith said the plan is to review other positions before the next budget season.

Rasmussen moved and Mcdonald seconded the motion to publish the vacancy and adopt the recommended wages; the motion passed three ayes (Rasmussen, Smith, Mcdonald) and two nays (Kuester, Lamp).

The council did not adopt any additional personnel policy changes at the meeting; implementation details and any formal agreements with outside entities were described as "being worked through." The city clerk will proceed with posting for the vacant position under the new pay scale.