Artesia Accepts Donation To Overturn Police Pay Cuts

ARTESIA, N.M. (AP) — Police and firefighters in Artesia will not be taking pay cuts as the city will accept a donation from an anonymous donor to offset the costs. The Roswell Daily Record reports (http://bit.ly/2cChRfM ) that the City Council on Tuesday voted to accept the donation for an undisclosed amount that will restore pay cuts for Artesia's police officers, firefighters and two librarians. The city announced immediate pay cuts of 10 percent last month for all employees for the fiscal year that began July 1. Mayor Phil Burch says a generous person came forward last week with a gift that will ensure all first responder personnel receive their normal wages for the rest of the year. The exact amount of the donation was not disclosed, but based on the city's budget it is estimated to be more than $300,000.