Graceville City Commission decides on GPD budget

By: Shelia Mader

Concerns arose last week at the Graceville City Commission meeting about the future of the Graceville Police Department. With no decisions made at that meeting, a special meeting was called Monday night to revisit the future of the department.

In last week’s meeting, the concern over a 9% raise for Graceville officers brought talk of dissolving the police department and looking to Jackson County Sheriff’s office for coverage.

In Monday’s meeting, commissioners approved a 3% raise covering the cost of living and to fill five full-time classified officers. This would include eliminating two officer positions that are currently vacant.

The budget for the Graceville Police Department was set Monday night but will not be finalized until the actual budget hearings. This vote determined the cost of living and staffing level so that benefits and salaries could be adequately addressed.  The City of Graceville’s budget is yet to be finalized.

Regardless of the personnel cuts, city officials said they had no plans to seek assistance from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.

The Times will continue to follow this story and provide updates as we receive them.