Hope Mills Commissioners are set to discuss how to approach a proposed increase to the police department’s base salaries and the implementation of a step pay plan at the board’s meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday at Town Hall.
This comes after the board's special meeting Tuesday to hear a presentation from Hope Mills Police Chief Stephen Dollinger, who said the need to increase overall department pay is critical because vacant positions that remain unfilled and officers leave because of higher pay ranges in neighboring agencies.
The board will be presented Monday with options regarding police department wages and benefits, said Interim Town Manager Chancer McLaughlin. The board will then be asked to decide on pay increase and step pay plan proposals.
Consent agenda
The board will also be asked to approve several resolutions through the meeting's consent agenda.
The board is being asked to authorize an agreement between the town and Baker Mechanical for $4,255.10 for the remainder of this fiscal year, and $8,510.20 per every fiscal year after for preventive maintenance for the HVAC system at the John W. Hodges Public Safety Center. According to the agenda, the HVAC system at the John W. Hodges Public Safety Center is nearing the end of its initial warranty period. The town chose Baker Mechanical because it was the original installer of the Roof Top Units, which provides HVAC services to the police and fire departments, and they have been servicing the system through the workmanship warranty.
The board will also consider an agreement for Fort Liberty’s Army Career Skills Program Individual Internship and the approved DoD SkillBridge Program. In the special meeting last week, the board discussed joining one of those career programs at Fort Liberty as a way for the police department to target soldiers and military police to join the Hope Mills force.
The board will also consider approving the donation of five vehicles, surplus property from the Hope Mills Police Department that has been considered “obsolete and is no longer required for service.” One vehicle will be donated to the FTCC Training Center, while the remaining four will be donated to the UNC Pembroke Police Department.
The town of Hope Mills will be receiving grants from the N.C. League of Municipalities to provide to provide guidance and technical assistance in the administration of funds from the Local Fiscal Recovery Fund, and in the administration of projects funded through the State Fiscal Recovery Fund, as well as provide financial software and assistance programs for units for expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The League will pay for contractors and services under these grants from 2024 through 2026.
Town reports
The Interim Town Manager will be updating the board on construction projects of commercial businesses and residential areas in the area, as well as a conference overview from the 2023 National League of Cities “City Summit” Conference, which was held in November.
Contact Hannah Lee at hannahleenews@gmail.com.
