Council approves organizational chart changes and pay-scale update; discussion focuses on police staffing shortages
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Summary
Huber Heights City Council voted 8-0 on Jan. 13 to amend the city's organizational chart, authorize additional staffing lines and adopt updated salary ranges including a 2.75% COLA for noncontract employees. Council discussion emphasized current difficulty recruiting police officers and the plan to expand hiring once existing vacancies are filled.
The Huber Heights City Council on Jan. 13 adopted a resolution amending the city’s organizational chart, authorizing new personnel staffing levels across departments and approving updated salary ranges and wage levels. The council’s vote to adopt the organizational changes and pay-scale update was 8-0.
City Manager John Russell described the package as part of an effort to streamline hiring, reduce outsourcing of background checks, and add positions that support growth in finance and public safety. Among the personnel changes discussed were additional cadet-style positions in the fire and police departments intended to attract students and trainees and retain them after certification.
A significant portion of council discussion focused on police staffing. Councilmembers said residents had asked for more officers, and the meeting record shows the administration cannot immediately add headcount because the city is currently short officers and is struggling to find candidates. Russell said the city is "not hiring because we can't find candidates" and that the administration plans to request additional sworn positions once existing vacancies are filled and retention improves.
Council also approved a companion resolution establishing salary ranges and awarding a 2.75% cost-of-living adjustment for noncontract employees; that measure carried on an 8-0 vote. Council members said they would continue to prioritize public safety staffing as vacancies are filled and as recruitment permits additional hires.
Why it matters: The organizational and pay-scale actions set authorized staffing and compensation that allow the city to recruit and onboard new employees. Council discussion signals a recognition of recruitment challenges in public safety and an intent to expand staffing when feasible.
The resolutions were adopted at first reading and recorded in the minutes with roll-call votes showing unanimous support of the members present.