The Dublin City Council approved raises for Dublin Police and EMS employees as well as equipment for Dublin PD during the regular meeting Monday night.
The raise in both cases were made to stay competitive with departments in the local area after Erath County agencies received raises in the last budget.
Dublin Police Chief Cameron Ray explained that an officer will be leaving in January and if the department, chooses to drop back to nine officers from 10 it will not affect the number of officers on shift at any given time.
The loss of the position opens up funds to be split with the remaining officers with Ray requesting $5,500 raises for the officers and an additional $750 adjustment for training and supervisor positions. Ray said he would be able to cover the raises within the DPD budget with the re-introduction of the officer’s salary moving available funds from other items.
EMS director John Tadlock was requesting an eight percent raise for EMS employees to stay competitive with the county. He was also requesting approval for a state EMS tuition scholarship plan which was approved after many left the field during the height of the COVID pandemic.
Tadlock said the mandated program is great for starting paramedics as their education is covered but the program comes with expenses in the form of hours covered by the agencies they serve. The 96 monthly hours over two years were reportedly not bad for larger districts and cities but can be rough on rural departments with tight budgets. Tadlock said Dublin EMS could be looking at 44,000 to cover three employees if they pursue and achieve their paramedic license.
Council members present unanimously approved the raises and the scholarship program. (Lee Jones and Darren Turley were absent.)
Ray was also on hand to request the release of up to $36,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to cover the cost of 11 portable radios with lapel mics and carriers for all officers and the city manager and the emergency management coordinator.
Ray said the cost for the radios would be around $22,000 while the cost for three GTAC computers with mounting equipment for police vehicles would be a little over $12,000. Rays said their current computers are showing a lot of wear and need to be replaced.
Council members unanimously approved up to $36,000 for the equipment.
City Manager Bobby Mendez requested approval to submit an application for a State Infrastructure Bank Loan. The loans are available to agencies performing work related to state projects.
Mendez said that in addressing drainage issues at several spots along Highway 377 in town, TxDOT said the city would have to move wastewater and water lines from the right-of-way. The initial expected cost was around $2 million to move these lines and would include a line recently installed as the city replaced outdated sewer pipes.
Public Works Director Cory James has reportedly been in consistent talks with TxDOT, who has now determined that no wastewater lines would have to be moved and dropping the number of pipes that need to be replaced after working on the plans.
The cost was now estimated at around $385,000. Mendez said the application will allow the city to see what the terms and conditions are of the loan with no obligation to accept it. Council will be able to vote after reviewing the terms in a future meeting.
Council member approved submitting the application.