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Lake City Council approves police pay increases and hiring incentives after closed-session personnel review
Summary
After a closed-session personnel review July 8, the Lake City Council set interim chief pay at $32/hour (effective Sept. 12), raised certified officer pay to $28/hour, set uncertified officer pay at $25/hour and authorized recruitment incentives including up to $3,000 moving assistance and a $5,000 sign-on bonus for certified hires with four-year contracts.
Lake City’s council approved a package of pay changes and recruiting incentives for the police department following a closed-session personnel review on July 8.
Mayor Mike Schleisman presided over the special meeting, which opened at 6:00 p.m. and moved into a closed session under "Iowa Code 21.5 I" to evaluate the professional competency of an individual. Council member Daniel moved to enter closed session at 6:01 p.m.; Council member Wilson seconded. The roll call recorded votes in favor from Wilson, Daniel, Bruns, Gorden and Vogt.
The council returned to open session at 7:30 p.m. after the executive discussion. Council member Daniel then proposed several compensation and recruiting measures. The council determined an interim Chief of Police would be paid $32 per hour effective Sept. 12. Daniel moved to raise the existing certified officer pay to $28 per hour; Council member Bruns seconded and the motion carried on an all-aye vote.
Daniel next moved to set pay for uncertified officers at $25 per hour and to authorize City Administrator Jacob Matthews to advertise police officer openings under specified terms: certified officers at $27 or more per hour depending on experience, up to $3,000 in moving assistance if relocation to Lake City occurs within three months of hire, and a $5,000 sign-on bonus tied to a four-year contract for certified officers. Council member Gorden seconded that motion, which passed unanimously.
The council recorded the motions and outcomes but provided no direct public comments or verbatim quotes in the meeting minutes. With no further business, Daniel moved to adjourn, Bruns seconded, and the meeting ended at 7:37 p.m. The council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for July 15, 2024, at 6 p.m.
