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Union City council approves hiring part-time officer from civil-service list
Summary
The Union City Borough Council unanimously approved hiring Kenneth Fye as a part-time officer from the certified civil service list, citing cost savings and increased coverage; the borough budgeted at least $33,560 for wages and benefits, with final cost to depend on hours worked.
The Union City Borough Council voted unanimously Aug. 13 to hire Kenneth Fye from the certified civil service list as a part-time police officer. The motion, made by Councilor Matt Joyce and seconded by Councilor Osborn, followed council discussion about staffing needs and finances.
Mayor Robert Wolf told the council the borough should maintain a police department and that hiring a part-time officer would help provide coverage while reducing costs compared with a full-time hire. Councilor Riley Cross and Councilor Matt Joyce said part-time staffing would lower the borough’s expense while improving coverage. Borough Manager Cindy Wells said the budget included at least $33,560 for wages and benefits and that the actual cost would depend on how many hours the new officer works.
Police Chief David Pernice reviewed recent police activity and told the council that between June 1 and Aug. 13 the department logged 269 calls, about 3.63 calls per day, and that several incidents—domestics, pursuits and some mental-health emergencies—had required lengthy officer involvement. Pernice said he and Officer Shelly attended active-shooter training July 24–25 and that the UC Community Foundation awarded funding for four tasers and security cameras to extend coverage on North Main Street.
The new part-time hire is expected to begin under the borough’s civil-service appointment process. The council did not specify the initial weekly hours in the motion; borough staff indicated payroll cost will vary with assigned hours.
