Russell Springs Mayor Hollis DeHart announced that Matthew Parrish, a 28-year-old former Army captain, has been hired as a police officer at last week's regular meeting of the Russell Springs City Council.

"He's originally from Louisville but he lives here now," DeHart said of Parrish. "We're very fortunate to get him."

The council also unanimously passed resolution 2010-10, a resolution of agency transferring from non-hazardous to hazardous coverage due to Parrish's hiring.

DeHart said anyone now hired would be non-hazardous through CERS and every agency must petition the CERS board to become hazardous.

"It would not be fair or right for us to have six or seven officers hazardous duty and him non-hazardous," the mayor said. DeHart also said that the hazardous application also calls for all police officer positions in the city to become hazardous rather than just by through the individual officers.

In other happenings at the meeting:

o  Executive Order 2010-1 was also passed by the council. The order pertains to classifications and pay increase for water system personnel.

After receiving the first water operator certification, an employee would receive a 5 percent increase in pay. After receiving the second certification, an employee would receive a 3 percent increase in pay. The city's utility department currently has two who are certified in the 15,000 range.

Another executive order, 2010-2  was also passed by the council.

This order pertains to classifications and pay increase for the waste water personnel.

After receiving the first waste water operator certification, an employee would receive a 5 percent  increase in pay.

After receiving the second certification an employee would receive a 3 percent increase in pay.

o The council also passed municipal order 2010-01 that updates the city's policies and procedures by adding the word "genetics" to the statement of equal opportunity.

o Councilman Ray Barrett commended the police department and Assistant Chief Jamie Rogers during the Save-a- Lot burglary last week.

"He did a fantastic job," Barrett said. "Not only the police department but all our city employees do a great job.

DeHart echoed Barrett's sentiments by saying he has never worked with a better group of people.

Councilman Timmy Hudson said it was hard to find good help nowadays.

"We tend to take them for granted," Barrett said of the city's workers.