The Council Bluffs City Council approved a two-year contract with some unionized city employees during a special meeting Wednesday night. The contract covers Council Bluffs Police and Fire Department civilian employees and Public Works sewer, street and alley; treatment plant; equipment maintenance; engineering; and administrative divisions, along with Parks, Recreation and Public Property; Health; City Clerk; Finance; Legal; and Planning and Community Development Department employees.
Supervisors and confidential secretaries are excluded, along with all non-union sworn personnel of the Police and Fire Departments. Police Chief Tim Carmody and Fire Chief Justin James argued on Wednesday that the 2.5 percent would do a better job keeping a cushion between ranks, which ensures qualified candidates continue to apply to rise through the ranks.