City Council Approves Employee Contracts

City Council approved contracts Monday night for drinking water plant operators, service and clerical workers and clerical, fiscal and accounting specialists.

The contracts were approved at a special meeting that followed Council’s meeting of the whole that night.

Per the three-year contracts, the workers will receive no direct wage increases for two years, but they may be eligible upon entering into the third year. They’ve agreed to a higher deductible for health care; however, if some employees use their health insurance, they can be reimbursed a portion of the deductible.

Service and clerical workers, under the new contract, could eventually see raises.

“There are promotion opportunities defined for several classifications of worker, from entry level to service worker four,” Law Director Hans Nilges said. “At a certain number of years, employees become eligible for review and promotions.”

In the contracts, there will be no longevity pay for new city employees, and sick-time payout is now limited to 25 percent of 240 hours of unused sick time.

Council President Jon Snyder said the water plant operators see one exception from the others: Four individuals may receive a $450 stipend to receive extensive technical training.

“In essence, it saves the city thousands of dollars in the cost of chemicals because they are certified in that technical field,” he said.

Council approved but still have yet to approve dispatcher contracts.