Council authorizes police contract with delayed 6% increase and subsequent raises

The Goldendale City Council authorized the mayor to execute a collective bargaining agreement with the Goldendale Police Officers Association covering 2025 through 2027.

Tony Neeke, participating remotely, summarized the settlement and negotiation context, noting that a competing union (the Fraternal Order of Police) pursued representation and that a Christie agreement affects retroactivity. He said the first raise in the contract — a 6% increase — “does not go into effect until after 08/20/2025,” which reduces the fiscal-year impact (roughly equivalent to a 3% annualized increase for the partial year), followed by 5% in 2026 and 4% in 2027. Neeke explained the agreement falls within previously authorized bargaining guidelines.

A council member moved to authorize the mayor to execute the agreement; the motion was seconded and the council voted to approve the contract unanimously. Council discussion clarified that the terms apply only to police officers and not to the police chief’s compensation.

The city will proceed with formal execution of the contract according to the authorization given at the meeting.