The City of Vandalia is looking at ways they can work to retain their police officers.
During the City’s April 1st meeting, Mayor Rick Gottman told the city council that the Illinois State Police had recently announced they were starting new troopers at $90,000 per year. Mayor Gottman also added they have taken away the educational requirements. And, he says they are also allowing new troopers to pick their starting locations. Mayor Gottman says such changes have made it tougher for cities to compete.
Mayor Gottman says adding to the issues is the potential loss of the 1% grocery sales tax, as that would cost the city $170,000 out of the general fund—a fund they use to pay new police officers. Mayor Gottman also mentioned that two Vandalia Police Officers could soon to be leaving the department—one could head to the Missouri State Patrol and another to the Springfield Police Department.
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