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Gage County approves final offer to FOP; labor dispute moves to Commission of Industrial Relations
Summary
The Gage County Board of Supervisors voted 6-1 to approve a final offer to the Fraternal Order of Police on Jan. 8, 2025. The FOP had filed a wage case with the Commission of Industrial Relations; the board said the county's offer would raise wages 5.88% to 8.2% while the union had sought larger increases.
The Gage County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 8, 2025, approved the county's final offer to the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) by a 6-1 vote after the union filed a wage case with the Commission of Industrial Relations (CIR).
Supervisor Lytle moved to approve the final offer; Supervisor Dorn seconded. The chair called for a vote; the board passed the motion 6-1, with one supervisor voting no. County negotiators and board members said the FOP had already filed with CIR before the board voted on the county's offer.
Board member Miss Haxby summarized the county's offer and the negotiation context, saying the county's proposal "includes wage increases ranging from 5.88% to 8.2%," and noted that past raises had been implemented early in prior rounds. Haxby also outlined the FOP's demands as presented to the board: wage increases ranging from about 9.68% to 17.86% and a proposed 220% increase in comp and holiday time. Board members estimated the higher FOP proposal would add roughly $250,000 to the county budget and said the county must consider trade-offs in equipment, staffing or asking taxpayers for additional funds.
Supervisors expressed appreciation for law enforcement while also raising concerns about what they described as a system that can produce rapidly escalating wage outcomes for comparable counties; the board said the CIR process will produce a final ruling. One supervisor described the county offer as more than double the recent inflation rate and appropriate given budget constraints.
The board voted 6-1 to approve the county's final offer; the FOP's filing with CIR means the dispute will proceed before that tribunal for a final determination.
