AKRON – Akron City Council delayed a vote on a three-year police union contract that would provide officers with a 14 percent raise, the largest wage increase in at least 30 years, after the Budget and Finance Committee voted 3-1 to request additional time to review the agreement.
The committee met Oct. 27 before the regular council meeting to discuss the contract between the city and Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7. The agreement includes wage increases of 5 percent in 2025, 4.5 percent in 2026 and 4.5 percent in 2027, along with a separate agreement for non-bargaining employees that includes a 3 percent raise in 2025 and 2.5 percent in 2026.
Director of Finance Steve Fricker told the committee the FOP agreement will cost the city approximately $19.2 million over three years, while the non-bargaining agreement will cost about $6.1 million over two years. The agreements also include a $4,000 one-time payment to each FOP member and modest increases to health insurance premiums for all employees.
Council members raised multiple concerns during the committee meeting about receiving the 96-page contract on Friday afternoon with an expectation to vote Monday evening.
Councilwoman Linda Omobien questioned why the contract language was separated from the financial legislation and asked whether any provisions addressed the Citizens’ Police Oversight Board. She noted residents have repeatedly been told certain accountability measures cannot be implemented because they are not in the contract.
City officials confirmed the contract contains no language acknowledging or addressing the oversight board, despite its creation by voter referendum. Law Director Eve Belfance said the issue was not reached during negotiations.
Omobien pressed further, calling acknowledgment of the oversight board a baby step rather than a quantum leap, and questioned how to explain to citizens that the city did not try to address accountability in the contract.
Vice President Jeff Fusco said council members received unprecedented financial information but needed time to digest it and communicate with constituents. He noted the agreement’s impact will be compounded by federal and state funding uncertainties.
Councilman Mike Krue raised concerns about fairness to non-bargaining employees, who will receive smaller percentage increases than FOP members while paying the same health insurance premium increases. He questioned why 327 classified non-bargaining employees would receive 3 percent in 2025 and 2.25 percent in 2026 compared to FOP’s higher increases.
Fricker explained giving non-bargaining employees the same increases as FOP would cost an additional $7.2 million over three years. He said the city tried to balance fiscal responsibility with providing cost-of-living increases for all employees.
Councilman Eric Garrett questioned whether the city still faces the fiscal crisis that was projected during fact-finding. Fricker confirmed the city will need to make adjustments to avoid that position, relying partially on Issue 4 money to bridge gaps, but warned the city will need to make choices about staffing levels and contractual expenses.
Council President Margo Sommerville called it bad business to bring legislation to council on Friday afternoon and expect passage on Monday. She requested a week for members to read the information, research and ask questions.
Committee Chairman Phil Lombardo said he believed enough time had passed and supported voting that evening, noting police officers have gone without cost-of-living increases for nearly 11 months. However, the committee voted 3-1 to grant time, with Councilwoman Tina Boyes, Fusco and Omobien voting yes and Lombardo voting no.
The contract also includes retention bonuses, shift differential pay, longevity pay and provisions allowing civilian staffing in the body-worn camera unit. Three exempt positions will be added to the Office of Professional Standards and Accountability. The contract includes statutory management rights language that was not previously in the agreement.
Multiple residents spoke during public comment at the evening council meeting, calling for transparency and a full public reading of the contract. One resident presented data showing Akron’s police department scored 38 percent overall on Police Scorecard metrics from 2010 through 2023, with particular concerns about use of force incidents and racial disparities.
Councilman Johnnie Hannah voiced concerns during the council meeting about the wage disparity between union and non-union employees and the lack of police reform language. He noted the absence of provisions addressing administrative leave procedures following officer-involved shootings and citizen review board authority.
The meeting opened with prayer from Rev. Joan Williams, who asked for remembrance of a 20-year-old woman who died from gun violence that morning. The Summit County Medical Examiner later identified the victim as Ti’chara Williams of Barberton.
In other business, council approved an ordinance authorizing employee benefits consulting services and suspended rules to pass an ordinance designating the John Brown House at 514 Diagonal Road as a historic landmark. Leanne Nef Heepner from the Summit County Historical Society explained the property’s significance in abolitionist John Brown’s legacy.
Council also authorized adding Advanced Coatings and Maintenance Solutions LLC to contractors for the city’s housing rehabilitation program. Several zoning and conditional use items were referred to committee.
Councilman Samuel DeShazior thanked the community for support following the recent passing of his wife.
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