An issue that’s plagued the Stuart Police Department for several years culminated in over a two-hour-long discussion at the City Council’s meeting Monday night.

Chief David Reha presented a proposal for the Council to increase his department from currently two officers including himself to four, and increasing salaries across the board for a total added expense of $105,822 including benefits. Reha also proposed a $19,000 increase to their vehicle budget for $30,000 annually.

Chief Reha and Officer Katie Guisinger explained to the Council the difficulties of having a two-person department for a City of almost 2,000 people that’s located on Interstate 80. Reha stated that his department has been locally known as a “training pool for surrounding agencies,” and in the last 20 years 28 officers have gone through the department to then typically leave to higher paying employers. Reha and Guisinger told the Council they have received six applicants for a third officer position that’s been open for a few months, though they didn’t list the starting salary on the hiring ad.

Reha responded to newcomer Council members Mike Kalbach and Kristina Renslow’s concerns for more time to review the salary figures and how they would be funded, “If I were in your shoes I’d probably want time too, but just know what you’re asking us to do. Because we’re working for free right now, basically and we haven’t walked out the door and that should show something to you guys. We’re trying to work with you because we care about this community. She (Guisinger) chose to work here because of that, she could have gone to a lot of other places, she wanted to work here for a reason, and I want to stay here for a reason.”

The Council vote was split on approving Reha’s proposal, as Council member Bryan Belden was absent. The Council eventually agreed to schedule a special meeting for February 18th, allowing City Administrator Ashraf Ashour and Financial Advisor Chip Schultz time to discuss funding this budget increase for the next five years.