In order to be more competitive with other local police departments in the county, the City of Gardner approved a pay raise for new officers’ starting wages at the Monday, November 21 city council meeting.

The Gardner Police Department’s current starting wages is $22.113 and is scheduled to go up to $22.777 next year. Gardner’s starting wage is the second lowest in the county. Johnson County Sheriff ’s Office recently raised their starting wage to $28.50.

Matt Wolff, finance director, said the city needs to maintain adequate staffing.

Jim Belcher, police chief, said nothing had changed since their recent work session and another officer was leaving. He had said at prior council meetings the department was continuing to lose officers for higher pay in other city departments within the county.

The Gardner Police Department has lost six certified officers over the last few months.

The city plans to implement a similar step program similar to the county’s program that will bring the starting wage up to $28.50. The step program replaces the current career ladder system that includes annual steps of four percent raises.

Belcher said they will also have a referral bonus for any city employee who brings someone in for a new police officer position. The referral bonus is $2,000 for new hires that pass recruitment and field training.

“I want to thank the governing body,” he said. “You have been tremendously supportive beyond what I thought we would be able to do. It is very incredible, and I am thankful for it.”

Steve Shute, council vice president, said they were very appreciative of the work the Gardner Police department provides for the city.

“We need more sworn officers to keep the peace and protect the public,” he said. “We need folks who are vigilant and have our backs.”

Mark Wiehn, council member, said where would the new pay level put the city within the county.

Belcher said it puts Gardner right at the top of the pay level.

Jim Pruetting, city administrator, said it puts Gardner at the top four percent of the county but they are still below the county.

“But we are a lot more competitive,” he said.

Kacy Deaton, council member, said how would they deal with people leaving and then coming back.

Todd Winters, mayor, said it was a good idea to have a retention bonus as an incentive.

Current employees will have a competitive salary structure that rewards years of service. Belcher said sworn officers may be eligible for a COLA adjustment starting in 2024. Pruetting said they talked about everyone out bidding each other and the struggling numbers for police department hires was a regional problem.

“People don’t want to enter the profession,” he said. “We keep cutting the legs off.”

Shute said they were having the discussion because the county “jacked up salaries over everyone else.” He said smaller communities were absorbing the cost. Deaton said they should pay attention to “bonus hoppers.” Pruetting said everyone is trying to get certified officers. “I think this puts us in a good position,” he said. Belcher said that it does put the department in great shape. The sworn officer salary structure is estimated to cost $425,000 for the 2023 Fiscal Year.