More than $1.2-million has been approved for additional funding for raises and new positions in Alaska's Village Public Safety Officer program. Almost half the budget will be allocated to raise the base hourly rate pay of officers, with the rest of the money going towards the instatement of new positions.

$600-thousand would be dedicated to raise the hourly base rate for VPSOs to $21 up from $16.55. 15 new temporary positions would also be created. Nearly $620-thousand would go to positions that would last for six months, raising the current force of officers up to 51.

The pay hike is the result of a recommendation made by a task force, which was set up to find ways of improving the VPSO program. However the task force recommended funding the new positions for nine months.

All that is needed is governor Sarah Palin's signature to finalize the budget.