MONDAY, July 20, 2026|
Photo – Saratoga’s Chief of Police John Moore – Courtesy Saratoga Police Department
Saratoga officials debated putting the police chief back on salary now that the overtime surge has ended.
At the June 17th Saratoga Town Council meeting, Police Chief John Moore announced that he was short an officer and working significant overtime while filling in for staff on medical leave and vacation. Because of those extra hours, Chief Moore asked to switch from salary to hourly pay. His rate would remain at $42.30 an hour, but he would be eligible for overtime.
Mayor Chuck Davis asked if the change would be temporary until additional officers could be hired. Chief Moore said yes, adding that even with help from part‑time officers he would still end up working more than 100 hours during that pay period.
Councilman Bub Barkhurst calculated that, as an hourly employee, Chief Moore would receive approximately $3,000 in overtime pay on top of his base salary. Following the discussion, the governing body unanimously voted to approve the chief’s request, moving him from salary to hourly pay. The matter was scheduled to be revisited in 30 days.
Police Chief John Moore’s pay status was discussed again during the July 15th Saratoga Town Council meeting. Mayor Chuck Davis said that with the excessive overtime now over, he believes Chief Moore should return to salary.
With the departure of K9 handler Sergeant Casey Lehr, the Saratoga Police Department is down to four full‑time officers, including Chief Moore. Councilman Bub Barkhurst asked if the open position had been advertised. Chief Moore responded that the opening has been widely promoted.
Chief Moore said he had one person pick up an application and one experienced officer meet with him, but that individual had not submitted an application at that time. He said the officer who applied reported hearing about the opening on this radio station.
Chief Moore said he was unsure how the other officer heard about the position.
Returning to the subject of pay status, Councilman Bub Barkhurst said he agreed with Mayor Davis that the police chief should return to salary.
Mayor Chuck Davis acknowledged that a full‑time officer was preparing to undergo surgery later this month, once again bringing the police department down to three full‑time officers, including the chief. Councilman Jerry Fluty asked if the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office could provide coverage while the officer was out. Chief Moore responded that the sheriff’s department is also short-staffed.
Mayor Chuck Davis added that the sheriff’s office was even more short‑handed, with a deputy having recently left to become the Encampment Chief of Police.
July 29th will be 30 days from the Council’s decision to move Chief Moore to hourly status. Despite the continuing staffing concerns, Mayor Davis said he still would like to return the chief to salary after that time period ended.
The Saratoga Town Council agreed to revisit Chief Moore’s pay status during the August 5th meeting.
