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Council splits on police hires amid overtime concerns; two officers approved
Summary
Council debated hiring two certified police officers to reduce overtime; after a failed motion to limit hires the consent agenda passed 3–1 approving two new officers to start Aug. 12, 2026, with the City Manager to oversee overtime approvals.
Council members debated a staff request to hire two additional certified police officers as a way to reduce overtime and compensatory time balances. Trejo presented the staffing request and said hiring two officers would allow the department to reduce overtime; City Manager Garcia and Clerk Jodie Flaherty urged more budgetary information and said they would recommend staffing reductions if overtime did not decline. Trejo said he expected overtime only during the upcoming BBQ Fest and parades and said overtime requests will be submitted to the City Manager for approval.
Council was divided on how to proceed. A motion by Crawford to approve the consent agenda while hiring only one officer (Jeffrey Trailer) failed (Ayes: Crawford, Zupp‑Smith; Nays: Granzen, Peterson). A later motion to approve the full consent agenda, including hiring Leonardo Nava ($35.55/hr) and Jeffrey Trailer ($36.61/hr) as police officers effective Aug. 12, 2026, passed 3–1 (Ayes: Granzen, Peterson, Zupp‑Smith; Nay: Crawford).
