Council approves full-time hire for new officer and pay adjustments for police staff

The council approved several personnel actions affecting the police department, including confirming a full-time hire and pay adjustments funded from existing grant money.

Council member (S2) reported that new employee Dakota Howard had completed his 90-day period and recommended making him a full-time employee with benefits; the council approved the motion by voice vote.

S2 also asked the council to authorize back pay for a promoted sergeant (referred to at points in the transcript as both "Sergeant Fears" and later as "Sergeant Pierce") covering the promotion period back to a prior date, and a $2-per-hour raise for officer Kevin Terry for taking on GCIC duties and related training. S2 said funds to cover the back pay and the raise would come from an existing grant. The council moved and approved these pay adjustments by voice vote.

Why it matters: The actions finalize staffing and pay for officers taking on new responsibilities and ensure the municipality meets auditing and grant rules for paying officers. The meeting record contains inconsistent naming for one promoted sergeant; staff payroll records should be consulted for the definitive employee name and back-pay period.

Next steps: Human-resources and payroll staff will process the hire, back pay and hourly adjustment as approved; council did not record a roll-call tally in the meeting minutes.