LEXINGTON, Ky. — Community members and officials gathered in Lexington for the Urban County Council Meeting Thursday night. One topic voted on was the increase in the base pay for several positions in the division of police.

What You Need To Know

  • Two separate agreements were discussed in Thursday night’s Urban County Council meeting

  • One of those topics discussed was pay increases for police officers, sergeants, lieutenants, and enhanced 911 telecommunication positions

  • The second was the rehiring of retired police officers 

  • Both were approved in the meeting

Two separate agreements were discussed in Thursday night’s Urban County Council meeting. The two agreements included an increased base pay raise for police officers, sergeants, lieutenants, and enhanced 911 telecommunications—along with the rehiring of police retirees. 

“I think pay will help us keep some people and help us draw some people,” Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers said. 

According to city officials, council members set aside $26 million for public safety raises. Police officers and sergeants will each receive an $8,000 raise. Lieutenants and ranks above them will receive $5,000 raises. Enhanced-911 telecommunications & specialist roles will receive a $4,000 annual supplement. 

“It’s definitely important for us to be competitive. We need to be competitive with surrounding police agencies,” Weathers said.

After the second reading on Thursday, the request was approved with only one vote against the proposal by council member David Kloiber. Many members of the community voiced their concerns about the increase. 

“The previous raises and $10,000 bonuses didn’t improve retention, but hey, why not gamble another $26 million of the taxpayer funds, fingers crossed guessed,” one member of the community said during public comments. 

The Lexington resident said she’s concerned if the increases continue, the funds will have to come out of other areas within the city. 

“What happens when the $26 million runs out, and the council still has to cover those new contracts and salaries, where will the future funds come from,” a member of the community said.

But Weathers said it’s an investment the department needs to see from the community, and hopes this new pay raise will help with the shortage of officers in Lexington. 

Besides the pay raise request, the division of police also requested additional funds for Flock cameras and body armor kits for all sworn officers. 

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