JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Police & Fire Committee held discussion Tuesday regarding the security fees for Jamestown Police Officers providing security at community events and functions.

Currently, officers are compensated $25 an hour for security at events. During an October meeting, Councilwoman Pam Phillips brought forth the issue of fees being much lower than compared to other communities.

Jamestown Police Chief Scott Edinger says he has talked to other officers about their thoughts on where the rate should be.

With this, Chief Edinger brought forward the problem with overtime pay on top of security pay. Edinger says an officer is still on duty and thus, receives pay and time-and-a-half when working overtime.

Edinger says they do what they can to limit this issue. Following discussion, it was decided that the rate would be increased to $35 per hour with an officer collecting $32 per hour compensation for the balance of 2018. The motion was approved.

The committee later moved into entering into a memorandum of understanding between the city and the North Dakota Information Technology Department relating to radio frequencies and communications.

Any agency that has a radio frequency could be used in the interoperable radio plan. Chief Edinger says it’s absolutely necessary. The committee approved.