The city of Minden is considering a substantial pay raise for its police and firefighters. The goal is to keep what they've got and hopefully attract more.
Minden police officers and firefighters are used to getting a 2% pay raise every year, but this year they can expect another raise.
Minden Mayor Bill Robertson says he and city council members support the police and fire chief's plan to increase pay to decrease resignations.
Right now, the beginning pay for a police officer is $1,725 a month. The proposed increase would bump that up to $2,000. The beginning pay for a firefighter will be bumped up to $1,800 a month.
Robertson says the pay raise won't only help keep officers and firefighters. It should help attract some.
The mayor says the police and fire business is just like any business, you have to stay competitive or risk losing.
Minden police have lost three officers recently. The police chief says some of them went to neighboring law enforcement agencies for higher pay.
The mayor says the council is expected to approve the budget in September. The raise will take effect in October.
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