At the regularly scheduled Fowler Town Council meeting Monday evening, trustees voted to rescind an agreement with Rick Schur, a consultant whose services were to be retained to help hire a police chief for the town. Originally, for an amount not to exceed $3000, Schur would help find candidates for the chief of police position, conduct background checks and psychological screenings, as well as make recommendations.
Via Town Administrator, Wayne Snider, Schur advised council unless the proposed salary for a police chief was raised to at least $40,000 it would not be worth his (Schur's) time or the town's money to utilize his assistance.
Trustees discussed the budget and the possibility of raising base pay for the position. “If we don't go with Rick (Schur), could we afford to offer $38,000 to $42,000?” asked Trustee Randy McKown. “I just don't think we can pay someone $3000 to do what we can do,” he added.
McKown's fellow trustees generally agreed Schur's services would not be necessary as members of council and Snider could do everything Schur offered. Trustee Pat Christensen made a motion to rescind the agreement with Schur based on Schur's statement regarding the town's price range for a chief. The motion passed unanimously.
Trustees also agreed to raise the base pay for a police chief to a range of $35000 to $42000, plus benefits. Those benefits include health insurance, contribution to FPPA (retirement account), and a uniform allowance.
In other business a liquor license renewal for CJ's Grizzly Creek was approved contingent on local fees being paid. Two letters of support were also approved; one on behalf of Fowler Municipal Library seeking a grant to help fund technology, and one on behalf of Tri-County Housing & CDC supporting their housing programs.
