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Special Council Meeting <br />August 22, 2024 <br />Page 3 <br />Kessel opted for $66,000.00. Council Member Ellis said they were worth $70,000.00. Council <br />Member Shatara said she was not against $70,000.00 but there was a shortage all over. Chief <br />Salter said media results in police being an unpopular profession and that also hurt retention. He <br />also said that Paris was unique, in that most officers were from here and wanted to stay here. He <br />also said if Paris could recruit from other agencies, then Paris would not have to pay for sending <br />new recruits to school which would save a considerable amount of money. Mayor Pankaj said <br />he originally thought $66,000.00 but after hearing discussions, he favored $70,000.00 and that <br />he also favored a COLA for retirees. Mayor Pankaj said Mayor Pro -Tem Savage could not be <br />there tonight and had relayed he wanted $68,000.00 or $70,000.00 increase for police officers. <br />Council Member Norment said her conversation with Mayor Pro -Tem Savage indicated he was <br />solid for $70,000.00. <br />Mayor Pankaj inquired about the direction Council wanted to proceed. Council Member <br />Putnam felt like they should look at COLA for retirees at a later date. Council Member Kessel <br />favored updated service credits and a COLA for retirees. Council Member Norment said if <br />COLA's did not happen this year, they could look at them next year. Council Member Ellis said <br />the employees before them put their lives on the line, and he favored updated service credits and <br />the COLA. Council Member Moore said she was ok with this. Mayor Pankaj said he was for <br />the COLA, and that a lot of men and women had worked for this City and it was frustrating that <br />this had been let go. He said he wanted to support employees, which could help recruit and <br />retain employees. Mayor Pankaj confirmed with Gene Anderson this would be a three year plan <br />with the de-minimis tax rate needing to be approved for the next three years. <br />5. Adjournment. <br />There being no further business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Council Member <br />Norment and seconded by Council Member Ellis. Motion carried, 6 ayes - 0 nays. Mayor Pankaj <br />adjourned the meeting at 6:44 p.m. <br />MIHIR PANKAJ, MAYOR <br />JANICE ELLIS, CITY CLERK <br />