County board approves sheriff’s union contract; supervisors ask about back pay and timing

The Manitowoc County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution to settle the 2024–2026 collective bargaining agreement with sheriff’s office employees represented by the Wisconsin Professional Police Association (WPPA).

Supervisor Marsh presented the resolution to the board from the Personnel Committee. During floor discussion Supervisor Shimanoulis asked whether the agreement included back pay. Personnel committee members and the motion’s proponents clarified on the record that the agreement does include back pay and described the timing of wage increases.

According to committee remarks read to the board, the contract provisions include a 4% increase (described in discussion as including back pay) and additional increases for 2025: a 2% increase effective Jan. 1, 2025 and a further increase effective July 1, 2025. A committee speaker summarized that the adjustments “net out to 4% for each year for 3 years” as presented in the personnel committee documents.

After questions and brief discussion, the clerk conducted the vote and the resolution was approved. The Personnel Committee noted it will continue to address policy items including a possible change from coroner to medical examiner and had directed corporation counsel to prepare a draft resolution on that topic for future consideration.