BY HANNAH LEE | CityView Staff
After hearing a plea for pay increases by the town’s police department last week, Hope Mills commissioners and town staff decided Monday to postpone any major changes until the ongoing pay study encompassing each of the town's departments is completed.
Proposed pay plan
- What happened: Following several public comments from Hope Mills police officers and concerned citizens, the board met in a closed session for two hours to further discuss the issue. After the session, Interim Town Manager Chancer McLaughlin said publicly he did not feel like the town was ready to present options on the police pay plan. McLaughlin previously said the board would be presented Monday with options regarding police department wages and benefits, and would then be asked to decide on pay increase and step pay plan proposals.
- McLaughlin instead proposed a cost of living adjustment for all town employees, which is an increase to an employee’s benefits or salary to balance against inflation. The board unanimously approved to increase the cost of living adjustment (COLA) from 1.75% to 2.5% starting in January. The budget for fiscal year 2023-24, which was approved in June, had previously set the COLA at 1.75% and was expected to take place Jan. 1, 2024.
- Why it matters: During a special meeting on Dec. 12, the Hope Mills Police Department cited an urgent need to increase compensation to make its pay rates more competitive with the Fayetteville Police Department and the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office. Hope Mills Police Chief Stephen Dollinger previously said many officers are choosing to leave the department because of higher pay offered in nearby police agencies. Many officers who spoke during the public comments period at Monday’s meeting addressed the financial pressures they face, saying that they could barely afford to make ends meet, and it was dangerous having so few police officers available. According to Dollinger's presentation at the Dec. 12 meeting, there are 28 officers are on full duty for the entire town, not taking into consideration vacation time, sick leave, mandatory training and comp time.
- The town-wide pay study, which was approved in October, will be looking at the competitive salaries for each department in the town. Results from the study are expected to be delivered in March or April.
N.C. League of Municipalities grants
- What happened: Commissioners voted unanimously to approve two grants given by the N.C. League of Municipalities.
- Why it matters: One grant will provide financial software and assistance programs for expenses related to Covid-19, while another assists in the administration of funding from the American Rescue Plan’s State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. The grants will allow the League to designate a company to identify and apply for additional grants to assist with future city projects, according to McLaughlin. The League will pay for contractors and services under these grants from 2024 through 2026.
Town manager report
- What happened: McLaughlin gave his report, which updated the board about several construction projects happening in Hope Mills. Two commercial businesses in the Mill Village Shopping Center — Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers and Discount Tire Shop — have received their building permits for construction. The proposed Culver’s Restaurant at 3320 South Peak Drive is being evaluated for a building permit for construction by the Inspections Department, McLaughlin said.
- McLaughlin also briefed the board on November's National League of Cities “City Summit” Conference in Atlanta. Mayor Pro Tem Kenjuana McCray and Commissioner Joanne Scarola also attended the conference. According to McLaughlin’s report, among the biggest takeaways are staff’s plans to identify federal and state infrastructure funding to establish a possible greenway to connect the Hope Mills Golf Course to the Town Hall Complex, Hope Mills Lake and Heritage Park. The “pedestrian connectivity” and success of the Atlanta Beltline served as inspiration for exploring the possibility of the greenway project, McLaughlin’s report said.
Other business
The board approved a contract to pay for preventive maintenance of the HVAC system at the John W. Hodges Public Safety Center with Baker Mechanical for $4,255.10 for the remainder of this fiscal year, and $8,510.20 per every fiscal year after.
The board also approved an agreement to be part of Fort Liberty’s Army Career Skills Program, specifically the Individual Internship Program and the approved Dept. of Defense SkillBridge Program in order to recruit soldiers transitioning out of the military to the town’s workforce.
The board also approved the donation of five Hope Mills Police Department vehicles. One vehicle will be donated to the FTCC Training Center, while the remaining four will be donated to the UNC Pembroke Police Department.
The board will next meet at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 8, in the Bill Luther Board Room at Town Hall.
Contact Hannah Lee at hannahleenews@gmail.com.
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