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Great Falls approves police pay increases after wider staffing plan fails
Summary
After an initial plan to add two officers and raise pay failed on a 3-3 vote, the Great Falls Town Council unanimously approved raises for Class 1 officers to $45,000 and increased the police chief’s salary to $50,000; council also approved a $1,000 donation for National Night Out.
The Great Falls Town Council approved raises for police personnel following earlier debate over a broader staffing plan.
Chief Martin told the council the department handled five accidents, three incidents, 263 premises checks, issued 51 warnings and 76 traffic tickets in the reporting period; 26 stops led to interviews and officers executed 13 warrants. He reported the department hired Officer Kimberly Benenhaley from Kershaw County and said Officer Woods is attending the academy and is scheduled to graduate Oct. 4, 2024. The department is installing Flock cameras at the basketball courts and at Sunset Park, and cited a two‑week LBT camera pilot that the chief said reduced trash and improved behavior; the department reported at least one arrest connected to camera evidence. Chief Martin also requested a $1,000 council donation for National Night Out on Aug. 27.
Council Member Dutton moved and Council Member McManus seconded a $1,000 donation for National Night Out; the motion passed unanimously.
Earlier in the meeting Council Member McManus had proposed a motion to raise police officer pay to $45,000 and hire two additional officers to achieve 24‑hour coverage. Council Member Dutton seconded that motion, which carried votes from Dutton, Eagle and McManus but was opposed by Worthy, Gonzalez and Mayor Brantley; the mayor declared the motion failed.
After the council briefly met in executive session and returned to public session, Council Member Dutton moved to increase Class 1 officer pay to $45,000; Council Member McManus seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Council Member Dutton also moved to raise the police chief’s pay to $50,000; Council Member Gonzalez seconded and that motion similarly passed unanimously.
Mayor Brantley and other members questioned the long‑term sustainability of expanded staffing and pay increases during the earlier debate, noting the town’s limited reserves and other departmental needs. The failed earlier motion included council staff estimates that hiring two officers would cost about $115,200 and that the proposed raises would add roughly $19,200, for a combined estimated impact of $135,000.
The council did not take immediate action on adding additional officers. The police department continues work on camera installations and related ARPA‑funded vehicle and camera projects that remain to be finalized.
