One recent issue that the Dundas City Council has had to confront is regarding the pay of police officers in the city. A recent wage analysis showed Dundas officers earn significantly below market rates—4.2% under the average minimum and 16% under the maximum in 2025, with gaps widening in 2026 despite a planned cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). To address retention concerns, the City’s Human Resources Committee directed staff to propose a new wage schedule that sets starting pay at $34.79 and a top step of $48.71, aiming to exceed market maximums by 10%. Here’s Jenelle Teppen, the City Administrator of Dundas:
“They gave me direction to set the top wage a little above the average, like 10% above the average, in an effort to incentivize some of our longer-term police officers to stay, to stick around a little bit.” – Jenelle Teppen, Dundas City Administrator on KYMN In the Morning
Under the agreement, officers will receive a 4% COLA on January 1, 2026, followed by placement on the new wage scale on July 1, 2026. The cost to implement these changes for three full-time officers is estimated at $12,158, which will be funded from an anticipated $90,000 year-end surplus.
