City Council approves 8% increase for police in year one of new contract

Kasson Mayor Chris McKern, who has opted against seeking re-election, says his least favorite part of his public office position is negotiating union contracts.

But last Wednesday, the City Council voted to approve two union contracts, one for the union representing public works employees, and the other which represents the police.

“Job well done Council…it’s always my least favorite activity of being in this office is labor negotiations. It’s terrible…especially when you know the majority of the people personally and in other ways in town and then you’re in this seat so it just gets a little uncomfortable,” McKern said.

According to McKern, the public works union employees will see a general wage increase of 6% in year one, 4% in year two, and 3% in year three.

For the police, McKern said “that contract we have before us is a two-year contract.”

In year one the contract calls for a general wage increase of 8% and 5% in year two.

A copy of the contract was not made readily available for this story.

“I have checked with the union representatives, and we should wait until everything is signed (to make sure that there are no misunderstandings) before releasing these to the public,” City Clerk Linda Rappe wrote in an email. “I can send you a copy of signed contracts as soon as I receive them.”

McKern said he is glad it ““didn’t seem like it was made personal by anybody.”

“It was business is business and we’re trying to do the best for the taxpayers, the employees, and be a good employer, be a good steward of the taxpayers’ dollars, pay attention to the circumstances that are going on in the economy and the world that we live in today,” McKern said.

City Administrator Tim Ibisch, following the meeting, said the raises go into effect in 2025.

“The current contracts expire at the end of 2024,” he said.