SULTAN — As the city starts looking for a permanent police chief, the City Council is set to discuss today how much the city should pay for the position.
Increasing pay for the job would help the city attract and retain a quality police chief, but the city is struggling to deal with a projected budget shortfall this year, City Councilman Jim wFlower said.
“Right now, everything is pretty tight,” Flower said Wednesday.
The city now pays a flat rate of $6,225 per month for a chief of police. The council will discuss three alternatives to the current rate. One option is to increase the pay by 3 percent to $6,412 a month in 2008. Another option is to set a salary range of $6,225 to $7,006 per month. The third option suggests that the council create a pay range of $6,749 and $7,595 per month.
Today, Sultan police officer Larry Marshall is set to be sworn in as the city’s new interim police chief. Marshall, who has worked for the city’s police department since April 2004, will replace former Police Chief Fred Walser, whose resignation took effect in August despite his attempt to rescind it.
While the city recruits its new permanent police chief, Marshall and four other officers will patrol the city to keep people safe, Flower said.
“(Marshall) has been patrolling very aggressively,” Flower said. “You see him everywhere.”
The city has reduced the police force from six officers and a chief to four officers and a chief as it struggles to balance its budget. The budget is expected to fall about $450,000 short this year. That represents more than 20 percent of the city’s $2.2 million general fund, which pays for basic services including police.
The city recently created a citizen advisory commission, which aims to come up with long-term solutions for the city’s financial problems.
Reporter Yoshiaki Nohara: 425-339-3029 or ynohara@heraldnet.com.
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