Council approves three-year working agreements with police and fire unions

The Fond du Lac City Council unanimously approved two separate three-year working conditions agreements on Sept. 24: a police contract with Wisconsin Professional Police Association Local 12 and a fire contract with International Association of Firefighters Local 400.

City Attorney and labor negotiator representatives introduced both tentative agreements and recommended approval. Chad Wade, the city's chief labor negotiator, and City Attorney Ms. Hoffman told council the contracts are three-year agreements beginning in 2026 and reflect wage increases intended to make starting pay more competitive while also providing increases for senior officers to aid retention. Wade said the police contractin particularprioritized raising lower starting salaries to improve recruitment in a tight labor market.

Staff also said changes to health insurance caps and premiums were included and aligned with changes provided to general employees during the city's budget process. Hoffman and Wade thanked the bargaining teams and union leadership for reaching tentative agreements.

Councilmember Heisler moved approval of the police agreement; Councilmember Leering seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Heisler likewise moved approval of the fire agreement; Councilmember Mullen seconded that motion, which also passed unanimously.

No amendments were reported on the floor; council members asked no follow-up questions at the meeting. City staff said the agreements align with the budgeting goals set by staff for 2026.