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Blaine ratifies three‑year police contract with specialty pay and updated sick‑leave terms
Summary
Council ratified the police officers' collective bargaining agreement covering 2026–2028; highlights include specialty pay increases (drug task force, SRO, SWAT), increased canine pay, a higher detective clothing allowance and updated sick‑leave accrual limits.
The Blaine City Council ratified a three‑year collective bargaining agreement for Local 165 police officers covering 2026 through Dec. 31, 2028.
Director Johnson reviewed contract highlights: longevity pay after eight years of service; updated sick‑leave accrual limits (up to 480 hours for officers hired after ratification; up to 960 hours for those currently employed or with conditional offers); pay increases for specialty assignments (drug task force, school resource officer, and SWAT); a detective clothing allowance increase to $600 per year; and an increase in canine pay to $400 per month.
Council member Newland said the contract appears to be attracting strong applicants and described recent lateral hires as evidence the department is competitive in recruiting. The motion to ratify passed on a voice vote.
Why it matters: The agreement governs wages, specialty pay and benefits for sworn officers, with implications for recruiting, retention and the city’s personnel budget. The city is also negotiating related public works and sergeants’ contracts.
What’s next: Staff will implement the contract changes and monitor budget impacts as part of regular financial reporting.
