Gladstone council approves 2025–2027 police contract, economic changes retroactive to July 1

The Gladstone City Council voted to approve a successor collective bargaining agreement between the City of Gladstone and the Gladstone Police Association for 2025 through 2027. Administrator Betts told the council the two negotiating teams had met in good faith since March 2025 and that the association ratified the tentative agreement on Aug. 1.

Councilor Huckabee moved to approve the contract and Councilor LaBonte seconded; the motion carried on a roll call vote. "Any economic impacts of the contract will be retroactive back to July 1," Administrator Betts said during the presentation. Mayor Michael Milch said council members spent time in executive session and felt both sides were well represented in the process. The council provided no additional amendments during the public meeting.

The staff packet included a redlined version showing changes from the current agreement and a finalized version of the proposed contract. City staff told the council that if a final decision on any matter is required it would be made in regular session. No specific dollar amounts or line‑item changes were read into the public record at the time of the vote; the agreement and related memo of understanding (wellness program) will be posted on the city's website for public review.