City Council Approves Raises for North Canton Police Officers

North Canton City Council unanimously approved a fact finder’s report recommending that 15 rank-and-file police officers receive a 1 percent raise and $500 lump sum stipend, the Canton Repository reports.

The patrolmen haven’t had a raise in two years, which they will receive if the Ohio Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association accepts the report.

“I think it’s an equitable settlement,” Council President Jon Snyder, Ward 4, told the Repository.

It’s not yet clear how much the raises amount to in the form of expenditures.

The city and the police officers’ union are 12 months away from completing a three-year contract that took effect in Aug. 2011 and runs through July 2014. 

During the first two years of the contract, the officers received lump sum payments of $500 but no other raises. 

A provision allowed for the renegotiation of the current contract, which started this past January with the union wanting a 3 percent raise Aug. 1.

The city rejected the initial plan, saying it couldn’t afford the changes in the contract.

After a seven-month stalemate, fact finder Thomas J. Nowel heard each side's arguments in a hearing at North Canton City Hall June 24, and presented his report to Council and the union for review. 

The police union will likely accept or reject the report this week. 

For more on the story, refer to cantonrep.com.