City leaders in one Seminole County city are noticing a disappointing trend: Once the city's police officers get a few years of experience, many are leaving for higher-paying positions at other law enforcement agencies in Central Florida.
Oviedo police Chief Jeffrey Chudnow said it's a trend that can't be ignored.
"It's important to keep the officers paid in line with everyone else in the area," Chudnow said.
A recent city survey showed Oviedo's police officers are paid about 10 percent less than their counterparts at other jurisdictions. That's why city leaders have proposed raising the city's millage rate — or property tax — so they can pay officers more money.
Under the city's current proposal, property owners would pay about $16 more for every $100,000 of taxable property.
That increase would generate about $300,000, which would be used to boost officer pay within the next two years, officials said.
"They've done a very good job taking care of our community and watching over my business," said Lisa Chiodini, an Oviedo business owner and resident.
Chiodini, however, said raising taxes should be a last resort.
"Before it's given, that they've evaluated the use of the current funds that we've given them," she said.
Chudnow said having to frequently train new officers is expensive, and retaining officers who already know the community is invaluable — especially the officers who have been with the agency for three to six years.
"They're going to be the next supervisors, the ones training the new officers coming in," Chudnow said. "So, it's important to keep them in a salary range with everybody else."
Mayor Dominic Persampiere said the proposed millage increase is the city's first in six years. The city has to have a required public hearing on the proposed tax hike in early September before anything can be passed into law.