Spencer, Iowa (NorthwestIowaNow.com)) — Spencer police were glad to hear the Spencer City Council approved hiring incentives and a new salary matrix at Monday’s City Council Meeting. Spencer Chief Mark Warburton says the department is short staffed, and finding qualified candidates has been challenging.

Warburton says incentives will help in the competitive hiring market, and the department is working in cooperation with Iowa Great lakes Hiring Cooperative, which will help find candidates not only for the Spencer police, but other area departments short staffed as well.

City Manager Kevin Robinson assured the City Council he feels confident by implementing plans suggested by Spencer Police, the city should be able to stay within the city’s budget, and the city’s emergency funds could be tapped to help fund an incentive program for hiring new officers.