Macomb, IL – Macomb aldermen will be asked to approve a new contract with police - and a tax hike to help pay for it.
The proposal is to increase the telecommunications tax from 4% to 6%. This would help the police department increase from 26 sworn officers to 30.
Chief Mike Galloway says the department wants to require officers to work four, 10-hour shifts every week. He says the only way to make that happen is to increase the size of the force.
Galloway says the change could cut back on overtime expenses, provide more manpower on the street, and offer greater flexibility in scheduling. It's also hoped that a larger force will reduce officer burnout and prevent the turnover in staff that's been common over the years.
Aldermen reviewed the pact during their August 13 committee-of-the-whole meeting. You can listen to that discussion by clicking on the audio button. The city council will be asked to approve the contract on August 20.
Additional information:
*The contract also relaxes the city's residency requirement. Officers will now be allowed to live anywhere in McDonough County. It's hoped this will also help reduce staff turnover.
*The contract is for three years. It will provide pay increases of 2.75%, 3% and 3.25%.
*Sixth Ward Alderman Tim Lobdell helped negotiate the pact. He says the additional money for the police contract will be needed beginning next fiscal year. Both Lobdell and Mayor Mick Wisslead say the city needed to find more money from somewhere to pay for police.