The Elkhart Board of Public Safety voted on Nov. 25 to approve a collective bargaining agreement between the City of Elkhart and the Indiana Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council representing dispatchers and safety officers.

Wayne Vilock, Elkhart's human-resources director, told the board the unit did not receive a raise in 2024 and described the agreement's compensation changes, including the elimination of a separate longevity article by merging longevity into base salary tied to length of service. "The other major change is in the compensation, which is the elimination of the longevity article and merging longevity into base salary based upon length of service with the city," Vilock said. He explained the timing for negotiations was affected by uncertainty in the state budget.

Erin Bridal, president of the FOP labor council, spoke to the board and described the agreement as a historic contract for the bargaining unit, saying the wages were the biggest negotiating point and that members will see substantial raises under the new deal. Megan Erwin, chief of staff, added that the contract begins Jan. 1, 2025, and that salary changes will be paid in arrears for 2025. She said the city compared salaries with St. Joseph and Elkhart counties and that pay adjustments target supervisors and long-tenured staff to improve retention.

The board moved to accept the proposed resolution approving the agreement retroactive to 01/01/2025 and continuing through 12/31/2028; the motion passed by voice vote.