Pennridge Regional contract talks continue

Next year’s almost $2 million Pennridge Regional Police Department budget includes $800,000 for IuOO-WLPH RIfiFHUV’ EDVH VDODULHV DnG $607,300 IRU HPSORyHH EHnHfiWV.

:LWK WKH FuUUHnW fiYH-yHDU FRnWUDFW wLWK WKH RIfiFHUV HnGLnJ DW WKH end of the year and no new contract, WKRuJK, RIfiFLDOV DW WKH DHF. 20 3Hnnridge Regional Police Commission meeting were initially unsure if they could approve a budget that PLJKW nRW KDYH WKH VDPH fiJuUHV DV D new contract.

They can, their attorney said.

“A budget is just a budget. You’re not locked into it,” John Rice said.

“If circumstances change, you’ll know by the end of January,” Rice said. “You can amend it at that time.”

“Whatever the contract is, we’ll have to price it out,” Donald Duvall, the commission’s chairman, said.

The contract that is ending gave 3 percent pay hikes in each of the fiUVW WKUHH yHDUV, WKHn 4 SHUFHnW ODVW year and this year. Under that conWUDFW, WKH EDVH VDODUy IRU Dn RIfiFHU wLWK PRUH WKDn fiYH yHDUV’ VHUYLFH LV $70,514.12.

In answer to a question of whether there would be a new contract by year’s end, Duvall said it’s possible, but, as in all negotiations, it’s hard to predict when an agreement will be reached.

“That’s one thing you never bet on,” Duvall said.

The commission was having an executive session following the meeting to discuss the negotiations, he said.

Police Chief David Mettin said both sides are working hard on reaching an agreement.

“We’re hopeful it’s going to be finLVKHG Ey WKH HnG RI WKH yHDU,” Mettin said.