Ephrata council approves new labor pact with police officers
Retroactive five-year contract includes averaged 4.47% annual wage hikes.
Updated
EPHRATA — Ephrata city council members on Wednesday approved a new collective bargaining agreement with union-represented officers in the police department.
The new labor pact is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024 and expires Dec. 31, 2028. It applies to commissioned officers represented by Teamsters Local No. 760 and replaces a prior contract that expired at the end of 2023.
Provisions of the 28-page agreement address wages, work hours including overtime and holidays, vacation and sick leave including accrual payouts, health care coverage, grievance and disciplinary procedures, pensions, and other employment conditions.
The 13 qualifying officers will receive an averaged 4.47% annual wage increase during the five-year contract period. Monthly salaries include four step increases based on length of service. In 2027, salaries will range from $7,023 a month for officers with up to one year on the job to $8,082 to those with more than five years’ experience with the department.
Sergeants receive an additional 15% above the highest step rate. Officers assigned to work as a detective qualify for a 6% monthly wage hike.
Additional wage incentives are available to officers who hold or obtain associate or bachelor's education degrees in police science, law and justice, or other closely related law enforcement fields; for officers classified as bilingual; and those performing field-training officer or officer-in-charge duties.
Also beginning in 2027, an annual clothing allowance for officers will increase from $500 to $800 with allowable yearly carryover, and a reimbursement paid to new hires for equipment will increase from $600 to $1,000 during their first year of employment.
Other contract provisions include longevity pay of $18 a month beginning with the sixth year of employment up to a maximum of $720 a month; take-home police vehicles for officers living within 30 miles of city hall, and a monthly contribution of $125 to officers with VEBA (voluntary employee beneficiary association) accounts administered through the Washington State Health Care Authority. The document also includes a clause that bars a strike or labor stoppage by officers, and prohibits the city from locking out employees unless they violate the clause.
In other business during their Nov. 4 meeting, council members Phil Borck, Kathleen Harris, Beau Lamens, Valli Millard, Matt Moore, and Mike Warren:
— Approved an ordinance to increase the city’s local property tax levy rate by an annual state-maximum 1% in 2027. The so-called ad valorem tax is expected to provide an additional $16,400 in revenue to help maintain services for the cemetery, library, parks and streets, said finance director Kristen McDonnell.
— Held discussions with McDonnell and other staff about departmental funding priorities in preparation for the city’s 2027 operational budget, which may be considered for adoption following a second public hearing at the council’s Nov. 18 meeting. State law requires municipalities and counties to adopt balanced budgets by Dec. 31 for the coming year.
— Approved an application to the state Department of Commerce seeking $150,000 in grant funding for preliminary design work in remodeling the former Rite Aid building at 250 Basin St. S.W. The city purchased the 16,000-square-foot building in 2025 for a future city hall. Last month, council members listened to a general proposal from McKinstry, a national design, construction, and energy services company about performing the work, but no specific plans or cost estimates have been established. On Wednesday, city administrator Ray Towry said several funding options are being explored. Councilman Matt Moore said the city hopes to minimize costs to local taxpayers.
— Mayor Steve Oliver administered the oath of office to recently commissioned police officer Colton Murray. A 2022 Moses Lake High School graduate, Murray joined the Ephrata department last December and graduated from the state’s basic law enforcement academy this June. During Wednesday’s ceremony, Murray was introduced by EPD interim chief Troy Froewiss and his badge was pinned on by wife Alizah.
Ephrata police officer Colton Murray with wife Alizah following an oath and badge-pinning ceremony Wednesday evening at city hall. Photo by Randy Bracht
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Ephrata council approves new labor pact with police officers
Retroactive five-year contract includes averaged 4.47% annual wage hikes.
EPHRATA — Ephrata city council members on Wednesday approved a new collective bargaining agreement with union-represented officers in the police department.
The new labor pact is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024 and expires Dec. 31, 2028. It applies to commissioned officers represented by Teamsters Local No. 760 and replaces a prior contract that expired at the end of 2023.
Provisions of the 28-page agreement address wages, work hours including overtime and holidays, vacation and sick leave including accrual payouts, health care coverage, grievance and disciplinary procedures, pensions, and other employment conditions.
The 13 qualifying officers will receive an averaged 4.47% annual wage increase during the five-year contract period. Monthly salaries include four step increases based on length of service. In 2027, salaries will range from $7,023 a month for officers with up to one year on the job to $8,082 to those with more than five years’ experience with the department.
Sergeants receive an additional 15% above the highest step rate. Officers assigned to work as a detective qualify for a 6% monthly wage hike.
Additional wage incentives are available to officers who hold or obtain associate or bachelor's education degrees in police science, law and justice, or other closely related law enforcement fields; for officers classified as bilingual; and those performing field-training officer or officer-in-charge duties.
Also beginning in 2027, an annual clothing allowance for officers will increase from $500 to $800 with allowable yearly carryover, and a reimbursement paid to new hires for equipment will increase from $600 to $1,000 during their first year of employment.
Other contract provisions include longevity pay of $18 a month beginning with the sixth year of employment up to a maximum of $720 a month; take-home police vehicles for officers living within 30 miles of city hall, and a monthly contribution of $125 to officers with VEBA (voluntary employee beneficiary association) accounts administered through the Washington State Health Care Authority. The document also includes a clause that bars a strike or labor stoppage by officers, and prohibits the city from locking out employees unless they violate the clause.
In other business during their Nov. 4 meeting, council members Phil Borck, Kathleen Harris, Beau Lamens, Valli Millard, Matt Moore, and Mike Warren:
— Approved an ordinance to increase the city’s local property tax levy rate by an annual state-maximum 1% in 2027. The so-called ad valorem tax is expected to provide an additional $16,400 in revenue to help maintain services for the cemetery, library, parks and streets, said finance director Kristen McDonnell.
— Held discussions with McDonnell and other staff about departmental funding priorities in preparation for the city’s 2027 operational budget, which may be considered for adoption following a second public hearing at the council’s Nov. 18 meeting. State law requires municipalities and counties to adopt balanced budgets by Dec. 31 for the coming year.
— Approved an application to the state Department of Commerce seeking $150,000 in grant funding for preliminary design work in remodeling the former Rite Aid building at 250 Basin St. S.W. The city purchased the 16,000-square-foot building in 2025 for a future city hall. Last month, council members listened to a general proposal from McKinstry, a national design, construction, and energy services company about performing the work, but no specific plans or cost estimates have been established. On Wednesday, city administrator Ray Towry said several funding options are being explored. Councilman Matt Moore said the city hopes to minimize costs to local taxpayers.
— Mayor Steve Oliver administered the oath of office to recently commissioned police officer Colton Murray. A 2022 Moses Lake High School graduate, Murray joined the Ephrata department last December and graduated from the state’s basic law enforcement academy this June. During Wednesday’s ceremony, Murray was introduced by EPD interim chief Troy Froewiss and his badge was pinned on by wife Alizah.