Contract negotiations are continuing between the City of Jefferson and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Iowa Council 61, Local 3949.

Following the September 8th City Council meeting, the Council directed City staff to open the five-year union contract immediately to address the pay scale of the police department. Council member Harry Ahrenholtz said during the meeting that he believes the contract was the cause for turnovers in the police department. 

Since then, City Administrator Mike Palmer and AFCSME Representative and Chief Negotiator Melissa Speed confirmed to Raccoon Valley Radio the two sides met on November 4th to present their initial proposals, which include adjustments for all city departments. 

The union’s proposal includes a $2,500 across the board increase in base pay for the police department, starting December 1st. Then on an annual basis, a proposed $2,500 across the board increase should be done at the beginning of the next five fiscal years on July 1st. All other city departments would receive a five-percent across the board increase in base wages, starting December 1st, with a subsequent five-percent across the board increase on an annual basis. 

The City’s proposal includes a $2,000 base pay increase on January 1, 2021 for the police department, and then a $1,500 across the board increase at the beginning of each of the next five fiscal years. All other city departments would receive a two-percent across the board increase on January 1, 2021, with the corresponding percentage of increase for each of the next five fiscal years. The City’s proposal also includes eliminating the college tuition reimbursement and sign-on bonus for the police department. 

Palmer tells Raccoon Valley Radio prior to when the two sides met on November 4th, the wrong date of the meeting was posted at City Hall. He acknowledges additional publication of the meeting should have been done with the correct information included. The initial meeting was to be open to the public to exchange their proposals, which was done on November 4th and then the meeting went into closed session. However, the two sides have met twice and Palmer expects a finalized agreement to be in place by the end of the calendar year.