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City police: No to smaller pay raises

City police will not take a pay cut this year, prompting the mayor to proclaim his fear of a tax hike in 2020.

The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 29 rejected the request from Mayor Gabriel J. Campana during a special meeting, said police Lt. Steve Helm, lodge president.

The mayor’s request to have the unionized officers cut a scheduled pay increase by 1 percent – from 3 percent to 2 percent – received a “nay” vote from the majority of the lodge, which has about 100 members, but not all were present for the vote, Helm said.

“We’re in the middle of a four-year contract and the salaries were negotiated,” Helm said. “The FOP is always willing to discuss changes and understands the city financial constraints.”

The savings on police pay reductions would have amounted to $125,000, according to calculations by the city finance department.

The union contract does not cover the chief and assistant chief.

Campana says if he can’t find ways to bulk up the fund balance, city taxpayers will be hit hard with a high tax hike in 2020.

“I’m trying to find unique ways to cut spending and prevent a tax increase,” he said.

Campana expressed dismay because firefighters, who could save the city $100,000, most likely will follow suit.

“I’m very disappointed that our hard-working police officers rejected an opportunity to help the taxpayers,” he said.

“We must realize that many people in Lycoming County do not receive a yearly increase in their salary,” he said. “Many people are struggling to get by, and I, especially, feel bad for senior citizens on fixed-income, who oftentimes have to pay more in taxes.”

A similar request to the firefighters union to date has not come up for a vote, Campana said.

“I won’t stop looking for creative ways to find revenue,” he said.

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