Osceola board eliminates interim title for police chief, approves hiring and authorizes wage negotiations

The village board took several personnel actions affecting the police department: it removed the interim designation from the police chief, authorized posting two officer positions to restore a five‑person force, and — after a closed session on pay levels — directed administration to enter wage negotiations with the police union and to extend an adjusted wage offer to the newly confirmed police chief.

Why it matters: Police staffing and compensation affect public safety coverage, overtime burdens and the village’s ability to retain officers. The board’s steps reverse a temporary staffing posture that followed prior merger negotiations with a neighboring service.

Staff briefed the board that Andrew Bach had served as interim chief since last December and that the position was posted with no acceptable external applicants. The administrator recommended removing the interim title and making it a formal appointment; the board voted to remove the interim designation and scheduled a swearing‑in ceremony for Sept. 30.

The board also approved posting for two officer positions to bring the department toward a five‑officer complement, which staff said was budgeted. Later in the meeting the board entered closed session to discuss wage levels; on return the board unanimously (with one abstention) directed administration to negotiate with the police union within parameters discussed in closed session and to extend an adjusted wage offer to the chief not to exceed the closed‑session figure.

Next steps: Staff will post the officer vacancies, begin recruitment, and open negotiations with the union per board direction; the administrator will extend the wage offer to the chief and return to the board as required.