Aldermen debate hiring of candidate for police department amid budget concerns

The Cuba Board of Aldermen discussed whether to authorize hiring a police officer who is slated to graduate July 24, with the police presenter urging the council to act quickly to avoid losing the candidate and other members urging fiscal caution amid budget uncertainty.

The police presenter outlined operational needs and officer-safety concerns, noting more than 4,232 calls for service in the last year and the risk of officers working alone. "If we don't fill these positions, attrition will continue and officer safety suffers," the presenter said. He recommended hiring the candidate once she graduates.

Several council members and finance staff pushed back, saying the city faces a budget shortfall and that attrition and wage history require a committee review. Finance staff provided year-to-year police wage figures and warned current salary loads may be unsustainable without broader budget cuts.

One alderman proposed a compromise: ask the local school district whether it will temporarily cover an SRO position over the summer to ease coverage needs while the council completes a budget review. The police presenter said the immediate hiring risked the candidate taking another job and urged the council to decide "yes or no" promptly.

The transcript records a motion to consider hiring Madison Courtwright and extended debate but does not record a final roll-call vote on the hire during this meeting. Council discussed options to delay hiring until after additional budget and auditor consultations or to secure temporary coverage through the school district.

The council did vote on other personnel items during the meeting and directed staff to follow up with the auditor and banker on budget projections before finalizing additional full-time hires.