Police chief asks Port Royal for 10% pay increase, warns of recruitment and retention risks

Police Chief Danes outlined recruitment and retention challenges and requested a 10% across‑the‑board pay increase to narrow market gaps with nearby agencies.

Danes said Port Royal currently has 27 sworn officers and is budgeted for 35, but faces a substantial pay gap at supervisory and command levels compared with Buford, Bluffton and Beaufort County agencies. He described a staffing strain that produces overtime (he estimated roughly $100,000 this year) and said replacement of an officer can cost $50,000–$80,000. "With a 10% increase, we're still going to be higher — what that will do is that will close the gap," Danes said, urging the council to consider the market urgency.

Budget impact and offsets: Danes estimated a 10% increase would add about $500,000 to the town budget but that roughly $400,000 in grant funds (for example, for SROs and other salary grants) were already factored in and would offset some of the cost. He warned that grants can be rescinded and that the council should plan for contingencies in case grant funding lapses.

Mandatory items: Danes also listed several required or near‑term costs: a new records‑management system (about $60,000 initial and roughly $20,000 recurring), an assigned legal adviser (about $40,000 annually) to reduce legal risk and a building repair estimate in the $42,000–$50,000 range.

Why it matters: The chief argued that without competitive pay Port Royal risks losing mid‑career supervisors — the ranks with the highest institutional investment — and that turnover increases overtime costs and degrades operational continuity. Councilors and the chief discussed applicant pools, comparative starting pay and how neighboring agencies' raises could widen the gap again.

Next step: The request was presented during the workshop; council will consider it as part of the town’s budget process.