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Regular   6.
Regular City Council Meeting
Meeting Date:
11/09/2015
TITLE
Approval of a 2015-2018 Contract with MPEA Billings Police Unit
PRESENTED BY:
Tina Volek
Department:
City Hall Administration
Presentation:

PROBLEM/ISSUE STATEMENT

A tentative agreement on renewing a contract between the City and the Montana Public Employees Association (MPEA) Billings Police Unit was reached on July 16, 2015. The proposed contract runs retroactively from July 1, 2015, through June 30, 2018. The MPEA's 113 members voted to ratify the contract. The City Council is being asked to consider approving the contract at its meeting on November 9, 2015.

Major changes to the new agreement include:
  • A 3.2% cost of living adjustment (COLA) for the first two years of the contract, and a 3.0% cost of living adjustment for the third year of the contract;
  • Additional language was added regarding Health Insurance stating, "The committee will periodically reevaluate the plan to make sure the City is receiving the best cost and services.";
  • Certification Pay will be amended to include the requirement that officers who leave the department must complete at least 6 months of employment in the calendar year to receive certification pay. Employment for less than 6 months will be prorated.
  • A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was entered into to clarify certain working conditions of canine officers that had recently changed.
The contract is being updated and a copy will be provided to the Council in the November 6, 2015, Friday Packet.

ALTERNATIVES ANALYZED

The contract has been ratified by the MPEA, so the Council may:
  • Approve the contract as presented, with pay retroactive to July 1, 2015;
  • Postpone action on the contract to obtain additional information; or
  • Deny approval of the contract, forcing negotiations to resume.
A simple majority vote of the Council is needed for approval.

FINANCIAL IMPACT

A 3.2 percent COLA will cost $342,658 for Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 and $353,623 for FY '17. A 3.0 percent COLA will cost $342,130 for FY '18.

There will be no additional cost of the health insurance to retirement benefit, because of a decrease in premiums that will occur in January.

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends approval of the contract, retroactive to July 1, 2015.

APPROVED BY CITY ADMINISTRATOR