HUNTSVILLE, AL – With applications for positions with the police and fire departments dropping, the Huntsville City Council approved an ordinance to raise the minimum hiring rate of cadet pay upon completion of training and to step–raise those already employed.

The measure passed at the council’s regular meeting Thursday, Nov. 17.

In addition to a higher pay rate for cadets, the ordinance also amends appointment rate, salary upon special assignment and incentives, and the personal policies and procedure manuals.

Byron Thomas, the city Director of Human Resources, told the council it’s “an effort in our public safety areas to increase recruitment as well as retention for our police officer positions as well as our firefighters. This ordinance, as has always been indicated, will raise the minimum hiring step for our police office and cadets as well as out firefighters and cadets to a Step 8 for their respective grades.’’

According to City Administrator John Hamilton, the ordinance is needed to compete against other growing cities and private industry, not only to attract applicants but to keep current employees.

The motivation behind the ordinance is that, “We, the city government, are a little bit of a victim of our own success,’’ Hamilton said. “The work (Director of Urban and Economic Development Shane Davis) and the Mayor (Tommy Battle) and the City Council have done in bringing jobs here and bringing jobs with escalating salaries means a lot of our great folks are getting picked off, not only by communities that are also growing and needing good police officers and good firefighters or even other skill sets we have in the city, but also by private companies.’’

Hamilton added that the move “should incentivize better applicant pools.’’

Kirk remains interim chief

The anticipated appointment of interim Huntsville Police Department Chief Kirk Giles to a permanent position, as recommended by Battle last Tuesday, hit a snag.

According to WHNT-TV, a vote on Kirk’s approval was delayed until the council’s next regular meeting Dec. 1 after concerns were expressed regarding more discussion on the measure. The item was not on Thursday night’s agenda.

City resident Chad Chavez addressed the council about the position.

“Councilman (Devyn) Keith talked about the importance of diversity as an important part of leadership,” Chavez said. “I think that continuing to hire from only within the department is not only a lack of diversity in gender or race, but also in viewpoints. It’s going to get you consistently the same kind of candidates.

Battle announced his appointment of Giles, a 45-year veteran of the HPD, Tuesday but the city council has to approve the move.

Giles was named interim chief Mar. 1 following the resignation of Mark McMurray in February.

Public hearings

The council passed two ordinances, one regarding zoning and the other rezoning:

Approved the zoning of 9.57 acres of land south of US Hwy 72 W and east of Henderson Lane to Highway Business C-4 District and Residence 2 District; and consideration of Ordinance No. 22-805 pertaining to the same.
Approved rezoning 0.61 acres of land on the north and west of Wade Rd. and east of US Hwy 431 from Residence 2-A District to Highway Business C-4 District; and consideration of Ordinance No. 22-807 pertaining to the same.

Petitioners for both previously agreed to plat restrictions and to prohibit mult-family develops on the properties.

Items approved

The council passed an ordinance annexing 2.56 acres of land on the north side of Oakwood Rd. and east of Research Park Blvd. Planning Services Manager Thomas Nunez said petitioners “seek city services.’’

Braves’ Wright recognized

Former Buckhorn High School and Vanderbilt University baseball standout and current Atlanta Braves ace Kyle Wright was honored by the council with a resolution for his Major League (MLB) success.

Wright led MLB in wins while posting a 21-5 record in 2022. He shined in the playoffs in ’21 during relief appearances when the Braves won the World Series, and again in one start during the ’22 playoffs.

Wright is a Huntsville native who was drafted fifth overall in the ’17 MLB draft and received a signing bonus of a then-record $7 million.