Officer resignation sparks discussion
Approving the resignation of a Russellville police officer at Monday night’s city council meeting sparked a discussion from one councilman who said he was “concerned” about several recent resignations within the department.
Councilman Lanny Hubbard said the resignation of RPD officer Scott King, which was approved at the meeting, was cause for concern in light of the fact that 10 officers have resigned from the department in the past two years, according to Russellville Police Chief Chris Hargett.
“I really wish the city council would look into this,” Hubbard said.
“I really think we should consider giving some kind of incentive to our patrolmen. Everybody is quitting to go to other places, and I think we should see how much it would cost the city to give raises.”
Hubbard said it was a detriment to the city to lose these officers.
“The only thing we are doing is preparing them to go somewhere else,” he said.
“I know it might be a strain on the city [to give raises], but the bigger strain is replacing 10 officers that have turned in their resignations.”
Russellville Mayor David Grissom said the council is aware of the problem and they are working to correct it.
“Because of the situation we are currently facing with our general fund, we haven’t been able to fully address this need, but we are aware of it,” he said.
“I feel like we will be hiring several officers in the very near future, possibly by the next council meeting.”
Grissom said the slim general fund balance that has prevented the council from giving out many raises is typical of this time of year.
“We should be getting revenue from sales taxes, ad valorem taxes, and business licenses soon and will be able to get our general fund built back up,” he said.
“We are normally pretty tight around this time of year, but it should be picking back up soon.”
Grissom also said there are policies in place for officers and other city employees to receive raises through the civil service board.
“There are ways for officers to receive raises by going to certain classes or getting different certifications or degrees,” he said.
In other business, the council addressed the following issues:
• Authorized the mayor to sign pre-application SF-424 for a grant for federal assistance for the Russellville Municipal Airport with funding divided as follows: Federal – $194,625; State – $10,812; City of Russellville – $10,812.
• Adopted the state funding resolution for grant matching funds for Russellville Municipal Airport.
• Held a public hearing concerning the rezoning of Irby Development property from AG-1 to R-3.
• Adopted an ordinance rezoning the Irby Development property from AG-1 to R-3.
• Approved Civil Group, LLC to perform construction engineering and inspection for ATRIP ALDOT project that will resurface and add a traffic stripe on Madison Street from Jackson Avenue to U.S. 43 and authorized the mayor to sign the letter.
• Approved the 2015 Municipal Workers Compensation Fund Safe Workplace Guidelines.
• Approved the commercial vehicle permit application agreement with Highridge Land/Timber.
• Approved the Reedtown School roofing project with Mid-America Roofing for $35,425 with funding divided as follows: FCCDC grant – $4,000; Back to Basics – $1,000; City of Russellville capital improvement fund – $30,425.
• Approved the resurfacing of Dillard Hollow Road for an amount not to exceed $25,000 by MidSouth Paving to be paid from the city’s four-cent gas tax fund.
• Approved the resurfacing of a portion of Tutt Lane not to exceed $10,000 to be paid from the four-cent gas tax fund.
