Council approves emergency ordinance to adopt wage increases for police and fire unions

The Ashland City Council approved Ordinance 1-26, an emergency measure authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract with the Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association covering patrol personnel and supervisors and declaring the ordinance an emergency.

The mayor told council members the negotiated agreement provides “a 4% wage increase in 2026 and a 5% wage increase for 2027” and said the city and unions also agreed that health-insurance costs for employees and their families will not increase for the coming year. Council members moved for first reading, then voted to suspend rules for three separate readings, and passed the ordinance by roll call.

The mayor thanked members of the negotiating team for their role in reaching the deal. The ordinance was indexed as Ordinance 1-26 during the meeting.