PHOTO BY JENNIFER COLTON
Umatilla police officers will receive a 5-percent raise this year, followed by 3.5-percent each of the next two years.
On Tuesday night, the Umatilla City Council accepted the bargaining agreement with the Umatilla Safety Association. Non-administrative police officers are the only city employees with a collective bargaining agreement, and the agreement is negotiated every three years.
The police pay increases follow the city’s move to narrow the wage gap between it and neighboring cities. The city changed the pay and raise structure for city employees last year in an attempt to lower the gap by 20 percent.
City Manager Bob Ward recommended approval of the contract, and the city council approved the agreement by general consensus.
During the meeting, the city also swore in five police reserve officer graduates. The six-month program certifies reserve officers, who are volunteer.
“We’re excited to bring them on,” Sgt. Bill Wright said.
