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Council approves hiring Pat Canady as Soap Lake chief of police; Arnold votes no
Summary
The Soap Lake City Council voted to accept an employment agreement for Pat Canady as chief of police on Aug. 6, 2025. Councilmember Arnold cast the lone "nay" as members expressed concern about salary and whether to allow a January COLA; the contract prohibits overtime pay for the new chief.
The Soap Lake City Council voted Aug. 6 to accept an employment agreement hiring Pat Canady as the city’s next chief of police. The motion, moved by Councilmember Gorman and seconded by Councilmember Carlson, passed with one dissent: Councilmember Arnold voted "nay."
Council members discussed the salary level and other employment terms before the vote. Mayor Peter Sharp said the finance director reviewed the salary and "the salary amount is within the PD’s budget." Councilmember Taylor recommended the council review whether to allow a cost-of-living adjustment in January. Councilmembers noted the written contract "does not allow for the new Chief to earn overtime wage," an explicit term cited during discussion as a cost-control measure.
The hiring followed procedural motioning on the agenda; councilmembers offered both support and reservations about the candidate and compensation. No additional vote tallies were recorded in the transcript beyond Arnold's lone recorded "nay." The swearing-in ceremony for the new chief, if the hire is final, is scheduled for the Aug. 20 council meeting.
