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Marionville aldermen debate police pay, approve new signing-bonus schedule amid staffing concerns
Summary
Chief Webb introduced two officers and said the department lacks MDTs and body cameras. Aldermen debated pay increases and a temporary wage freeze; a motion to give all employees a 3% raise failed, while the council approved changing officer signing bonuses to 25% payments spread to a two-year anniversary.
Chief Webb, Marionville’s police chief, outlined department staffing and equipment needs at the Jan. 15 Board of Aldermen meeting, introduced two recently hired officers and said the department will update policies in the coming months. Webb distributed 2025 call logs and said the department "are here to serve the people." He also said the department currently lacks mobile data terminals (MDTs) and body-worn cameras and that one Flock camera is in place at Highway 14 and Highway 60.
The meeting included extended discussion about officer recruitment and pay. Alderman Urschel said officers are underpaid and proposed a temporary wage freeze through June 2026 so the city could reallocate funds to increase officer pay; that motion received no second and did not carry. Alderman Motley then moved to grant a 3% pay raise to all city employees, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2026; Alderman Lawrence seconded. Roll-call votes recorded two no votes (Alderman Urschel and President Brenner) and three yes votes (Aldermen Bliss, Motley and Lawrence); because the council requires a majority as applied in its rules and did not receive the threshold described in the meeting, the motion failed.
Separately, the board agreed to change the structure of the officer signing bonus to improve retention. City Clerk Bliss explained the current signing-bonus schedule pays at hire, at six months and at the one-year anniversary. Chief Webb proposed spreading the payout over a longer period; the board approved a motion by Alderman Bliss, seconded by Alderman Lawrence, to pay the signing bonus in 25% increments every six months until the officer reaches a two-year anniversary.
The discussion also touched on hiring checks and background investigations. Webb said the department will use ESOPH (through Miller Mendel) to run background checks on prospective hires so the city can learn whether applicants have been turned down by other departments and why. Webb also noted that COMET removed its items from Marionville Police Department storage.
Next steps: staff said they will proceed with the new bonus payout schedule and bring policy updates to the council in the coming months. No formal vote to purchase MDTs or body cameras was recorded at the meeting.
