Council approves police labor contracts; administration reports fire contract settled

The Washington Court House City Council on May 14 adopted a series of resolutions approving labor agreements with the Fraternal Order of Police, Ohio Labor Council, Incorporated, covering dispatchers, patrol officers and sergeants.

Resolutions recorded in the meeting materials (R18-2025, R19-2025 and R20-2025) were each advanced by motion and approved by roll-call vote. The roll calls recorded the following votes on the resolutions: Chrisman — Yes; Hawk — Yes; Johnson — Yes; Schultz — Yes; Blair — Yes; Cole — Yes; Lynch — Yes. The resolutions authorize the city manager and appropriate staff to execute contracts with the union as described in the meeting materials.

Separately, city administration reported that contract negotiations with the fire department concluded during recent talks. City staff said the tentative agreement for fire department employees provides multi-year wage increases described by administration as approximately 5% in year one, 4% in year two and 3.25% in year three. The administration characterized the negotiations as positive and said a large portion of union members participated in the bargaining discussions.

Council members did not record substantial debate on the police resolutions during the meeting; the roll calls indicate the measures passed without recorded opposition. The fire department agreement was described in the administration's oral report and will require final documentation and any necessary council action if the administration brings a formal resolution or ordinance implementing the negotiated terms.

Next steps: the police labor resolutions are adopted and in effect as provided by the contracts; the administration will finalize the fire department agreement documentation and present any required formal action to council in a future meeting.