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Council approves patrol pay increase, reallocates SRO funding to create a patrol position
Summary
Merkel City Council approved a pay increase for patrol officers and, using budgeted SRO funds, approved creating an additional patrol position. Both actions passed unanimously, 5-0.
The council approved an increase for patrol officers after City Manager Hitt presented a salary survey showing the cost impact of raising patrol pay; Elaine Chaney moved to approve the increase and Tyler Newberry seconded the motion, which passed 5-0. Hitt also recommended removing three school resource officer (SRO) positions from the budget and using the budgeted money to fund a new patrol position. Chaney moved to create the patrol position funded from the SRO budget, seconded by Lexi Smith; that motion was approved 5-0.
Minutes record the council's votes but do not specify the dollar amounts involved. The decisions were presented as staffing and budgetary adjustments to strengthen patrol coverage using existing budgeted SRO funds; staff will implement the pay adjustments and the new patrol hire using the approved budget changes.
