Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Compensation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Hammond council approves 2026 pay ordinances; police, fire raises differ by contract
Summary
Council adopted wage ordinances for 2026, approving a 2% raise for most city employees while police receive a negotiated 3.5% increase and fire personnel accepted 2% under their negotiations.
The Hammond Common Council passed ordinance 25-26, setting salaries and wages for most city officials and employees, and ordinance 25-27, covering police and firefighter wages, during its Oct. 27 meeting.
Mayor McDermott clarified that the citys general plan provides 2% raises for employees not covered by collective-bargaining agreements. "It's 2% raises for all employees, unless they are covered by a union contract that says otherwise," the mayor said. He stated the police negotiated a 3.5% raise through their contract while the fire department accepted 2% as the result of separate negotiations.
Council reviewed the pay measures and approved both ordinances by unanimous roll call votes.
Other compensation details discussed: Council members asked for clarification about recruitment and residency incentives. The mayor said the residency bonus is $4,800 per year and that a home-loan forgiveness program provides up to $10,000 to encourage police and fire personnel to buy homes in Hammond. The mayor also noted department take-home cars for Hammond residents and other incentives used to retain staff.
What this means: Most nonunion employees will receive a 2% raise in 2026; pay increases for police and fire follow negotiated contract provisions. The council recorded the votes and moved the ordinances into the city record.
