SILVERHILL, Ala. — The Silverhill Town Council voted Monday to increase the initial pay for an officer with the Silverhill Police Department whose salary is provided by a grant.

The council voted in October to hire a fourth police officer after the town was approved for a three-year grant that will pay for the officer’s salary and other expenses, given that the town provide transportation for the officer and uniform. It will also be the town’s reponsiblity to pay a fourth year of the officer’s salary.

The council approved the hiring of officer Trent Dennis in November at an opening salary of $9.76 per hour. Dennis was up for evaluation which could have increased his salary to $10.88, but resigned from the department in July.

Silverhill Police Chief Kim Wasdin said the officer’s salary could be negotiated each time the department had to replace an officer during the grant period. The grant would not start over with the hiring of a new officer, but would be continuous for each officer hired.

“The grant is based on our salary scale and the initial salary is based on an officer with no experience and no academy training,” Wasdin said. The department received eight applications, Wasdin said, three of which were qualified for the position, all with at least 2 1/2 years experience as an officer.

After discussing the posibility of starting the officer at Level 3, which would carry a salary of $12.25 per hour, the council agreed to a trial period in which the officer would start at a salary of $10.88 per hour. The officer would be subject to a six-month evaluation period, at which time the officer’s salary could be increased to $12.25 per hour.

Wilson said the grant does allow for raises to be given during the three-year period, so the town would only be responsible for the difference in salary during the six-month evaluation period, which would come to approximately $576.