Council introduces cadet compensation change and adopts pay plan language to align cadet pay with union scale

City staff introduced an ordinance (20‑26‑34) Sept. 10 to amend section 2.41.05 of the administrative code to provide compensation and fringe benefits for police cadets that mirror terms in the police collective bargaining agreement while keeping cadets outside the bargaining unit until they obtain Ohio peace officer certification.

City Manager Brent Merriman explained the cadet program was authorized in 2022 as a temporary, nonunion recruitment position; recent labor negotiations resulted in the union declining to recognize cadets as bargaining‑unit members, but both sides agreed that aligning cadet compensation with the CBA is important for recruiting quality applicants. Council then adopted Resolution 20‑26‑50 to add cadet wages to the city pay plan, setting cadet pay at 5% below the first full step for sworn officers until certification and swearing in.

Council moved to introduce the ordinance and adopted the resolution by roll call. Staff described the changes as administrative housekeeping to ensure pay and benefits are clear for recruitment and budgeting purposes.