Sean C. Morgan
The Sweet Home City Council ratified a new contract and raises for its Police Department employees Tuesday, Aug. 13.
Retroactive to July 1, police employees will receive a 1.5-percent increase to their salary schedules, followed by five more 1.5-percent increases every six months through Jan. 1, 2016. The contract expires on June, 30, 2016.
The Police Department’s salary schedule contains five steps, with 5-percent increments from the first to the third steps and 3-percent increments to the fourth and fifth steps. Employees move up a step, based on a positive evaluation, annually.
With this decision, police officers receive $4,449 per month at the top step. By the end of the contract, officers on the top step will earn $4,793 at the top step. Dispatchers receive $3,468 per month at the top step. By the end of the contract, they will earn $3,736.
The contract also revamps insurance benefits. Through the end of 2013, insurance will work as it does currently, with the employee paying 5 percent of the insurance premium and the city paying 95 percent. On Jan. 1, the city will begin providing a high-deductible plan along with health savings accounts to offset the high deductible. The city will annually provide $1,250 to police employees receiving insurance only for themselves and $2,250 to employees who receive the benefit for the entire family.
The HSA is portable and owned by the employee.
The city estimates it will save more than $131,000 over the life of the contract, said City Manager Craig Martin, and those savings will be used to offset wage increases in the agreement.
Voting yes on the contract were councilors Craig Fentiman, Bruce Hobbs, Greg Mahler, Dave Trask and Mayor Jim Gourley. Scott McKee Jr. and Marybeth Angulo were absent.
The contract was ratified unanimously by the Police Department employees, Martin said.
In other business, the council:
n Declared three Public Works vehicles surplus, including a 1991 Chevrolet S14 pickup, a 1987 Braun ambulance and a 1962 Autocar tender.