IRON MOUNTAIN — Two police recruits will be hired by the city of Iron Mountain with the expectation they’ll fill full-time vacancies after graduating from a police academy in May.

The city will sponsor the candidates starting next month at the Oakland Community College Police Academy in Auburn Hills. Grants offered through the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards will cover up to $24,000 per recruit.

The police department already has an open position that’s gone unfilled and will face two retirements in July. The city council approved the arrangement Monday, including setting a wage of $16.50 per hour for the newly created recruit positions.

Ed Mattson, director of police and fire services, said the grants will cover all but possibly $2,000 for each recruit’s training expenses and wages. Both candidates will commit to at least four years of employment with the city, he said.

The city also anticipates sending a third recruit to the Northern Michigan University Regional Police Academy in Marquette from May through August. The MCCOLES grant program will again be tapped to cover expenses, provided the $30 million in funding statewide hasn’t been exhausted.

“There has been so much use,” Mattson told the council. Each agency is eligible for 25 scholarships over the course of the program, which will run through September 2026 if funds remain available.

Meanwhile, a millage renewal to continue funding for a full-time police liaison officer in Iron Mountain schools will be on the Feb. 27 presidential primary ballot. If city voters do not renew the liaison millage in 2024 it would leave one less police position to fill.

Mattson is one of the officers expected to retire this summer. The other is Lt. Michael Weslin.

In another police matter, the council discussed whether the city’s K-9 police dog program will continue after the anticipated retirement of 9-year-old Falcon, a Belgian shepherd handled by Det. Lt. Adam Ray, who is being promoted.

Dickinson County is considering adding a K-9 officer, which would be in addition to dogs available through Michigan State Police and Florence County, Wis., Mattson said. “If the county is willing to take it over, that would be my thought and recommendation,” he said.

Council member Ken Clawson said the city shouldn’t be quick to give up its own program, which has been supported by fundraising.

Mattson acknowledged $13,000 in K-9 funds on hand that could cover about half the cost for training a new K-9. He agreed there should be more discussion at the committee level.

In other action, the council:

— Heard Mayor Dale Alessandrini point out $20,117 in overtime payroll costs for the fire department in November. The problem, Mattson said, is too few part-time firefighters to fill shifts. “It’s not for a lack of trying to get people,” he said, adding there’s a concern about full-timers working too many hours as well.

— Extended the deadline to Jan. 2 for Pewabic Hill mountain bike trail construction bids. The deadline was Monday, but City Manager Jordan Stanchina said some trail contractors became aware of the project too late to make an offer. The three bids received will be left unopened and may be withdrawn and resubmitted if desired. A Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund grant will provide $183,200 and Dickinson Trail Network has committed $64,000 in matching funds. The non-profit group envisions 6 miles of public trails on city property east of Park Avenue at East B Street.

— Learned 48 deer have been harvested as Friday during the city’s managed archery hunt.

— Noted City Hall will be closed the next two Mondays for Christmas and New Year’s Day. Garbage collection both weeks will be one day later than the regularly scheduled day.