Ad hoc committee recommends City Council ratify DMEA funding after wage, benefit review

The Danbury City Ad Hoc Committee on the Collective Bargaining Agreement on Aug. 26 voted to recommend that the City Council ratify funding for the DMEA contract. Member Candace Fay moved the recommendation and Member Diane LaPine seconded; the motion carried unanimously.

Assistant Corporation Counsel Tracy Norris told the committee that "the sole charge of the Council is to approve or deny the request for funds." Director of Finance Dan Garrick said the majority of the package — about 95% — is for general wage increases and confirmed "the wage increase is 2.85%." Garrick added that medical and dental amendments were still pending review by the employee benefits consultant but said co-pays, employee share and increased dental coverage roughly "equal out."

Chair Frank Salvatore summarized statutory timing, noting that general statute gives the Council 30 days to act and that the submission timeline included union approval on July 10, an original deadline of July 15 and a submission to the legislative body on July 24. Committee members pressed staff for additional fiscal detail and clarification about which positions are covered by the agreement ahead of the full Council meeting.

The committee’s recommendation will be forwarded to the full City Council for ratification. No formal change to the contract was made at the ad hoc meeting; members were told only the full Council may act on the item.