Merrillville town employees to get first raises in six years
MERRILLVILLE — All town employees will receive raises each year through 2016 — their first raises in six years, not counting a $500 stipend received a few months ago.
In other action last week, the council unanimously approved a new contract with the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 168 in which the 50 police officers will receive a $10,000 pay hike over three years.
The police officers will get $6,000 of that amount this year, a $2,000 increase in 2015 and another $2,000 raise in 2016.
A patrolman now makes $45,594 a year, or about $21.92 an hour.
Also under the new contract, officers’ longevity pay will be increased from 20 to 30 years.
FOP president Curtis Minchuk said the town’s offer was unanimously approved by the police officers.
“I’m glad we could come to terms with the council. We asked for $10,000 and that’s what we received,” Minchuk said. “It’s been helpful in boosting mo- rale among the officers.”
The FOP had asked for the full $10,000 raise this year.
The council at Tuesday’s meeting also approved a $6,000 total pay raise over three years for all other full-time town employees and an hourly increase for part-time employees.
The full-time employees will receive $3,000 this year, $2,000 in 2015 and $1,000 in 2016.
Councilman Shawn Pettit, D-6th, pointed out the council did not give itself a raise.