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Council reviews proposal for one new patrol officer and pay adjustments in 2027 draft
Summary
Staff proposed hiring one patrol officer for 2027 at an estimated fully loaded cost of $199,800, and reviewed the city’s COLA and compressed public‑safety merit scale used to retain officers. Council questioned long‑term personnel cost growth and turnover impacts.
Heidi presented a request to add one patrol officer in fiscal 2027, returning a position requested in 2026 that had been put on hold while revenues were reviewed. The fully loaded cost for the position — wages, benefits, equipment and vehicle depreciation — is $199,800, and Heidi said the department would recognize only the annual depreciation for vehicles rather than the purchase price.
Council members asked about the public‑safety merit program and why merits are higher for sworn staff. Heidi and Ken explained the city compressed the public‑safety step scale to keep entry pay competitive and reduce early turnover; Heidi said COLA data was pulled from the Western Region CPI (2.7%). "We shortened the steps so they get a higher merit increase," Heidi said, describing the 8‑year schedule for public‑safety steps versus the longer scale for other employees. Some councilors cautioned that sustained COLA and merit layering can create long‑term structural personnel pressure if revenue growth slows.
