The adage that “money talks” seems to be true when it comes to attracting police officers to Jefferson.
The city council approved hiring Cole Jackson as a patrol officer at its Jan. 22 meeting. Jackson is the second JPD officer hired since the council approved a hiring and retention incentive that includes a $2,000 sign-on bonus paid on the date of hire. Once Jackson becomes certified as an officer, the city will also make payments on his student loans.
Jackson is from Polk City and graduated from North Polk High School in 2014. He graduated from Northwest Oklahoma State University last month with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He will begin work in Jefferson Jan. 25 at a starting annual wage of $41,516 per the union contract.
He said the incentive package was “a big factor” in his choosing to start his career in Jefferson. “The sign on bonus was a big determiner for me. Just getting out of college and not having a job, that money made a big difference,” he said. “I’m extremely grateful to the city and council for putting that together.”
He added that he thinks the incentives will pay off in the long term, as the city is able to compete for college graduates and pay less for the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy.
High school baseball fans may remember Jackson as the pitcher who led the North Polk Comets to a state championship. He pitched through his college years also.
In other business, the council set March 12 at 5:30 pm as the date and time for a public hearing on the city budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2019. The council will hold a workshop on the budget at its Feb. 12 meeting.
The council approved a resolution to apply through Region XII Council of Governments for a Transportation Enhancement grant in the amount of $167,000. The funds would be used to construct a multi-use trail from the Milwaukee Road depot on E. Lincoln Way to the city cemetery. Total cost of the project is $210,000. The city has already received a $10,000 grant from Union Pacific railroad for the project.
The council approved a pair of grants from the hotel/motel tax fund. Jefferson Matters: Main Street will receive $2,193.50 for a bronze historic plaque. The Bell Tower Festival motorcycle event committee was approved to receive up to $3,000 to cover promotional expenses.
A presentation by Janice Gammon on the Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway corridor management plan was postponed due to inclement weather.
