SHADYSIDE — The village lost two full-time police officers who left for other employment, leaving city leaders to find ways to increase wages.

Police Chief Don Collette made his report to council members Monday.

“The officer problem is, it’s the worst we’ve had, and if we don’t get it addressed, we’ll be in trouble. The problem is there’s no cops. The academies aren’t producing any and the kids that are out right now, we start them at $17 an hour or they can start at $24. Where are you going?”

He said there are only four full-time officers counting himself.

Collette said under Ohio Revised Code, a village of Shadyside’s size should have six full-time officers. He said while there are part-timers, they also work in other places.

“They can only work so many shifts, what we can schedule. They’re all helping, but the overtime’s going to be through the ceiling. We’ve just got to cover these shifts. We’re doing everything we can, but when you don’t have any bodies to fill it, there’s nothing you can do. We’ve got to get it to a competitive rate,” he said, adding officers have indicated they would be interested if wages were better.

Collette added the permanent 5-mill police levy passed three years ago had been helpful, but circumstances have changed.

“The price hikes, everybody’s feeling it. The officers are, too,” he said.

Mayor Bob Newhart said the village will consult with the fiscal officer and explore what is possible.

“We’re going to have to adjust them,” he said. “The problem is we start at $17, the other entities are starting in the mid-20s, so you’re not going to come and work for less money. … We’ll check our budget and see what we can do.”

In other police business, Councilman Mike Meintel said there have been instances of people mowing grass into the street.

In other matters, A.J. Smith of Verdantas asked the village to consider him as floodplain administrator, in accordance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to review permits and help with regulations.

“It is a FEMA requirement that the village has a floodplain administrator as part of their insurance program,” he said.

Smith would look over plans for new structures to determine if there is any danger of flooding.

Village Attorney Tom Ryncarz asked if there was a set amount of pay. Smith said the village would use his services as needed.

“Most of the time, these costs are passed on to the person needing the permit,” Newhart said.

Council voted to appoint Smith to the position.

Smith said he has done similar services for Belmont County and Powhatan Point.

“I’m a certified floodplain manager, and I have about 20 years of experience doing floodplain permitting in Ohio, so we’re just happy to help the village out with any floodplain permitting needs,” he said.

Council will next meet at 6 p.m. May 8, but the May 22 meeting was rescheduled to 5 p.m. instead of the usual 6 p.m. time.