Clear Lake council approves police salary adjustments to enhance recruitment efforts

The Clearlake City Council held a special meeting on December 8, 2022, where they addressed key issues including police officer salary adjustments and the approval of a cannabis equity program.

The council began by discussing an amendment to the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Clear Lake Police Officers Association. City Manager Warren highlighted the need for competitive salaries to aid in the recruitment and retention of police officers, especially in light of a new contract from a neighboring agency that offered higher pay. To address this, the council proposed a 2.5% cost of living adjustment for all police officers, effective after January 1, and the addition of a sixth salary step for officers after five years of service. The council unanimously approved the motion to authorize the city manager to execute the amendment.

In the second major discussion, the council reviewed a cannabis equity program aimed at supporting cannabis business owners affected by past criminalization. This program follows a state grant received by the city for assessing cannabis activity. Although the council had previously expressed concerns about certain requirements of the program, they decided to move forward with the same plan as last year, with minor adjustments. The council plans to apply for state funding to implement the program, which aims to rectify historical injustices related to cannabis laws.

Overall, the meeting underscored the council's commitment to enhancing police compensation and addressing equity in the cannabis industry, reflecting ongoing efforts to improve community safety and support local businesses.