In a recent government meeting, the council discussed several key administrative matters, including the approval of the Command Central Aware program, which will cost an estimated $63,860 annually, totaling $319,300 over five years. The police chief emphasized the need for this program to capitalize on significant cost savings, with a contract execution deadline set for October 20, 2024.

The council also addressed appointments to local boards, reappointing Todd Campbell to the Brownsville Fire Volunteer Fire Civil Service Board and Stanley Pullman to the Volunteer Fire District Board of Commissioners, both of which were approved without opposition.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a report from the Department of Human Resources regarding a comprehensive pay study conducted by Management Advisory Group. The study, which analyzed over 625 job classifications, revealed that the city’s current pay scales are substantially below market rates, with many employees earning as little as $10 per hour. The proposed adjustments aim to raise salaries to the 65th percentile of comparable positions, with an overall implementation cost of approximately $20.3 million, representing a 9.8% increase in payroll.

The report highlighted the unsustainable nature of the city's fringe benefits, particularly its pension plans, which currently account for 75% of employee salaries—far exceeding the average of 33-38% for similar governmental entities. The consultant recommended a thorough operational review to identify inefficiencies and improve the city's financial sustainability.

Council members expressed concerns about the implications of the pay study, particularly regarding the starting salaries for police officers, which are proposed to increase from $40,906 to $52,657. The council is also considering a ballot initiative for a property millage to address funding shortfalls for fire and police departments.

The meeting concluded with a call for further discussions on the findings of the pay study and the potential need for additional funding to implement the proposed salary increases effectively.