The Bourbon Town Council discussed the Bourbon Police Department during council comments in their September meeting.
Member Terry Clemens recommended a $5,000 stipend for Police Department Officers for 2023 and a $5,000 raise for 2024. He noted the challenge of attracting officers, retaining officers and keeping them after they have been trained.
President Ward Byers informed the Council that there was no Salary Ordinance Amendment prepared for the meeting that evening; the recommendation could be discussed, members could vote in favor of support, but actual adoption would have to take place in October.
Vice President Les McFarland expressed support of Clemens’s recommendation. He added a recommendation that the Town of Bourbon consider take-home car use within Marshall County limits for officers.
No official action was taken during the meeting regarding the stipend for 2023 or the salary increase suggested for 2024. A Salary Ordinance Amendment will be prepared for Council review, discussion and vote in October regarding a pay raise in the amount of $5,000 for each full-time police officer in 2024 and the matter of a $5,000 stipend for 2023 will also be officially addressed.
