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CALCUTTA -- Approving a new three-year contract for St. Clair Township's police union was one of the last orders of business during trustees' final meeting of 2020.
During the brief session Tuesday morning, Trustee Robert Swickard said the board unanimously approved a contract for the Fraternal Order of Police, giving officers raises of 4 percent in 2021 and 3 percent each in the final two years.
The new agreement was reached amicably after two months worth of deliberations with the goal being "fair while still fiscally responsible," Swickard said.
While there was no change in health care coverage in the first two years, which is covered 100 percent by the township, Fiscal Officer Deb Dawson said in year three, employees will pay 10 percent of their premiums.
Swickard explained that the move still makes St. Clair Township a desirable place to work, as nationwide there are less people pursuing careers in law enforcement and trustees wanted to maintain their competitive edge in offering wages and benefits that attracted applicants and retained current officers.
Trustees also approved their temporary appropriations for January through March 2021, totaling $1,599,600. The police district fund represented $854,000; then the road and bridge fund $265,000 with their general fund $179,100.