FRIDAY, June 26, 2026|
Photo – Saratoga’s Police Chief John Moore – Courtesy Saratoga Police Department
Saratoga officials agreed to shift the police chief from salary to hourly pay while the town searches for a new officer.
During the June 17th Saratoga Town Council meeting, Police Chief John Moore announced that he was down an officer and asked the governing body for permission to advertise to fill the position. The council voted to allow Moore to search for a new police officer.
Following the vote, Chief Moore added that he is also covering shifts for officers out on medical leave and vacation, leaving him with only part‑time help. With calls for service increasing, the chief said he has been working significant overtime.
As a result of those extra hours, Chief Moore asked to be moved from salary to hourly pay. He stated that his pay rate would remain $42.30 an hour, but he would be able to collect 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 part‑time help he would still end up working more than 100 hours that week.
Chief Moore said even after one of his full-time officers returns from vacation, he would still be required to work between 70 and 80 hours a week.
Councilman Mike Cooley asked if the chief planned to continue working that many hours indefinitely. Moore replied that he was looking forward to getting back to his regular schedule.
The chief said none of his part-time officers have expressed interest in becoming full-time.
Chief Moore reiterated that the switch from salary to hourly would be temporary, only until he could hire more officers. Councilman Jerry Fluty said he supported the change.
Councilman Bub Barkhurst calculated that as an hourly employee, Chief Moore would receive an additional $3,000 in overtime each pay period on top of his base pay.
The Saratoga Town Council unanimously voted to approve the chief’s request, moving him from salary to hourly pay until he can hire additional officers.
