By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com

Union contracts are locked in for at least another year for Bucyrus city employees. The Bucyrus City Council unanimously passed contracts with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1728, the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 1120, and the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) during Tuesday night’s council meeting.

Law Director Rob Ratliff briefly explained that the IAFF and FOP contracts were one-year agreements. Veteran’s Day was added as a holiday for both unions. Under the IAFF contract, most employees will see a 2-to-3-percent increase in pay. Ratliff stated this was to rid the department of pay disparity.

To comply with state law, the training period for the K9 unit was increased and a change was made to military leave for the FOP contract. There was also a $.30-cent increase in certificate pay and an increase in uniform allowance.

Ratliff added that the agreement with AFSCME increased wages across the board 2 percent every year for three years. Insurance coverage remained in line with the average across the state at an 85-15 split while sick leave was capped at 960 hours.

Council also passed five other pieces of legislation Tuesday night, including appropriations. Among those appropriations were $500,000 for the 2014 Mill and Pave Project, transferring $2,800 to cover audit costs, entering into an agreement with ODOT for bridge inspections, authorizing the auditor to pay the city’s engineers for water treatment plant services, and appointing the administration assistant as a voting member on the Buckeye Ohio Risk Management Association board.

Mike Schiefer was on hand during the meeting to inform Council of his attentions to run for county commissioner. Schiefer will be running against incumbent Jenny Vermillion. He also discussed celebrating the Bucyrus Police Auxiliary’s 50th anniversary this year, of which he is a 26-year member.

Police Chief Dave Koepke also noted the Auxiliary’s anniversary this year. Koepke started his police career as a member of the Police Auxiliary. He informed council that the department is currently reviewing background checks on 10 applicants for the open spots on the department.

Two council meetings have been scheduled for Monday, April 21. Public Lands and Buildings will meet at 4:00 p.m. followed by the Finance Committee meeting at 4:15 a.m. There will be a joint committee meeting between the Service and Finance Committees at 4:00 p.m. on April 25. The committees will be discussing the gas aggregation program.