Council delays vote on school resource officer contract amid budget and union timing concerns

The Junction City Council deferred action on a one‑year renewal of the School Resource Officer (SRO) contract after extended discussion about timing and cost coverage.

Chief Waddell said the renewal principally updates terms and includes a 4% increase in the staffing cost passed along by the school district. Councilors questioned whether the proposed increase would be fully covered by the school district, whether overtime for after‑hours school events had been accounted for, and the prudence of approving the contract before the city finalizes its budget and the police association ratifies related bargaining agreements.

Multiple councilors preferred tabling the item so staff could return with precise numbers showing how overtime, the union agreement outcome and budget figures would affect the city's net cost. Staff agreed to remove the item from the agenda and bring it back at the next meeting in June, giving council additional time to review finalized budget and union‑ratification information.