57°F
weather icon Mostly Clear

Henderson police receive three-year contract extension

A three-year contract extension for police officers that will cost Henderson $3.5 million through 2018 was approved Tuesday by the Henderson City Council.

Police officers will retroactively receive a 2.25 percent base wage increase for the pay period that includes July 1, 2016; a 2.5 percent base wage increase on July 1, 2017; and a third raise on July 1, 2018, of 2.25 percent.

The new contract will expire on June 30, 2019, and was approved by unanimous vote.

“Now we’re seeing moderate growth and because of that we are seeing some wage pressure,” said Richard Derrick, the city’s chief financial officer. “The market is changing.”

Derrick said the city meets regularly with the unions to discuss the city’s financial position.

Curtis Germany, the city’s labor relations manager, said negotiations on the contract began in early May and it was ratified July 19. It covers rank-and-file officers, not supervisors. The current contract for the Henderson Police Supervisors’ Association expires June 30, 2018.

Besides the pay raises, officers will receive 10 hours of holiday pay for 9/11 beginning in the second year of the contract.

The holiday is equal to 10 hours of regular pay at the base hourly rate and will be paid in the period that includes Sept. 11. It’s a holiday that fire personnel also have, and is something the police officers were interested in, Germany said.

Henderson paid about $46.7 million in salary, overtime and pension for police officers, corrections officers and Henderson Police Officers Association union liaison in fiscal year 2015.

“I know public safety is an important priority in the city of Henderson,” Councilwoman Debra March said. “I don’t believe they’ve received compensation for a pay raise like this in a long time. I want to thank them for being a good partner.”

Contact Natalie Bruzda at nbruzda@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3897. Find @NatalieBruzda on Twitter.

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.
THE LATEST