Police officers to get raises

Schuh told the City Council that the contract is retroactive to the beginning of last year. She explained that contract talks dragged on last year, went to a mediator, then to binding arbitration before an agreement was reached.

Mayor Dean Maxwell said "I appreciate the cooperation from the police guild."

Schuh said the contract calls for raises of 2-1/4 percent for 2009, 2-1/4 percent for this year and 2 percent for next year. She said the city has included other incentives to retain police officers, including a voluntary fitness program. "We think this is a win-win," she said.