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Council weighs police pay options and supervisory hires amid staffing push
Summary
City staff presented two police pay scenarios — a 5% across‑the‑board increase (about $1.7 million) and an alternative $10,000-per-officer proposal (about $1.8 million) — and recommended adding three officer positions and two supervisory roles; council asked staff to compile a comparability study from peer cities.
Willow Park staff presented competing police compensation scenarios and a staffing plan during the budget workshop, then answered council questions about comparability and recruitment.
Michelle Gelker described two salary options for the police department: a 5% across-the-board raise and an alternate $10,000-per-officer approach. “There’s a 5% salary increase that… totals… between every name insurance, the taxes, 1,700,000,” Gelker said, noting the higher $10,000 scenario would push the police total closer to $1.8 million.
Staff said Quincy (police leadership) requested five new positions but the proposed budget authorizes three new hires and funds two sergeant positions (which may initially be filled as officers until promotions occur). The police representative described efforts to promote from within and provide training so internal candidates can move into supervisory roles.
Council members pressed for a market-comparability study before finalizing raises. Staff said they are compiling pay data through open-records requests from peer cities — including Aledo, Hudson Oaks, Mineral Wells and others — rather than hiring an outside consultant, and expect more complete data in coming weeks.
No compensation decision was made at the workshop. Staff will return to council with the compiled comparables and updated budget impacts for council consideration.
