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Council delays hiring another full-time police officer as stormwater repair costs weigh on budget
Summary
Council members said concerns about unexpected stormwater repair costs—not candidate qualifications—led to the failed motion on hiring another full-time officer; the mayor said the borough owes the candidate an explanation after testing and evaluations.
Union City Borough Council paused on hiring another full-time police officer on July 23, with several councilors citing unplanned stormwater repair costs as the primary reason the motion failed.
Mayor Robert Wolf said the borough owes the candidate "an explanation for having him go through all this testing and evaluations," adding that the applicant "is a good candidate and will be testing in the consortium." Wolf said he and the police chief discussed both the "want and the need" for another full-time officer.
Councilor Melissa Winkler said she was unaware the borough was seeking an additional officer and expressed concern about costs tied to recent stormwater issues. Councilor James Kerns also said the stormwater repairs and unexpected expenses influenced council members' reluctance to add a full-time position, stressing that the decision was not a reflection on the candidate.
Jeremy Sterling of Centerville asked council about the outcome of the decision; council replied the matter would be discussed later in the meeting. The minutes record no formal vote result naming individual yes/no votes on the hiring; the issue remained unresolved at adjournment. The council subsequently entered an executive session on personnel and contracts and took no action.
The mayor’s statement that the candidate will continue testing in a consortium suggests the applicant remains eligible for future consideration pending budget clarity and follow-up by council and staff.
