City staff present proposed three-year police guild contract; council to consider placement on consent agenda

City staff briefed the council Thursday on a proposed three-year collective-bargaining agreement between the city and the Mountlake Terrace Police Guild covering Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2027.

Deputy city staff and Chief Khan described the contract components: a pilot "Pitman Schedule" for certain staffing schedules that would allow officers on that schedule to have every other weekend off; a 7.5% salary increase effective Jan. 1, 2025, followed by 4% increases on Jan. 1, 2026, and Jan. 1, 2027; a provision that ties additional adjustments to higher-than-anticipated CPI changes; a new bilingual premium-pay program; establishment of longevity pay tiers; and earlier eligibility for educational incentive pay following successful completion of an officer’s probationary period.

City staff asked council to place the negotiated agreement on the consent agenda for the next council meeting for formal approval. Staff said the department currently has 28 sworn officers (including command staff). Council members thanked negotiators and noted the fiscal consequences of the contract. Council member Murray said the negotiations had been lengthy and thanked staff for their work; Council member Woodard similarly praised the process and emphasized the community focus of the negotiations.

No formal council action was taken at the meeting; staff recommended placement of the contract on the consent agenda at a future meeting for council consideration and approval.