Entry level police officer pay rises by $7/hour in Mattawa department

MATTAWA - After a recent decision by the Mattawa City Council, it might be a good idea for able bodied citizens to consider starting a career in law enforcement.

At the request of Police Chief John Turley, the City Council voted to raise the pay of an entry-level police officer from $15.55 per hour to $22.50 per hour. That works out to a monthly salary of about $3,900 not including overtime, which is quite common.

Friday Turley said the raise in pay was needed to make Mattawa competitive with other communities which are looking for police officers. He said Mattawa was lagging behind its counterparts.

In other matters, Mayor Judy Esser swore in Council newcomers Betty Webster, Sylvia Barajas and Alan Hopkins. Webster was appointed to an open seat, and Barajas and Hopkins were re-elected in the recent elections.

Turley announced that Officer Williams had received the Thousand Stars Award recently. It was for recording 18 DUI arrests since the beginning of May.

Turley announced the juveniles who stole a car a couple of months ago were arrested. They are repeat offenders. He said also the recent robbery of the Mattawa Market was solved.

Public Works Director Gary Crowder got the news that there may be no floor heating for the city's new shop, which is under construction near the water tower. Cost estimates are coming in high, and the council wants to shop around for new bids.

However, city clerk Robin Newcomb said, the consensus on the council seems to be the bids will come in too high for the city to be able to install floor heating.

In an un-related matter, Crowder told the council that Mormon church volunteers leveled the soccer field in Hund Memorial Park. He said it will be seeded in the spring, and only time will tell when it will be ready be ready for use.

City Planner Gary Piercy told the council that US Cellular's new cell tower is up, and equipment is being installed.

It will be secured by a light green fence.