Council mulls over police contract

DOWNTOWN TOLEDO - In a special session Thursday morning that stretched into the afternoon, Toledo City Council decided to delay its approval until July 7 of the recent contract deal between the Finkbeiner administration and the police union.

Instead of a stamp of approval, council has decided to hold off on the vote until after the July 4 holiday.

Council is now expected to vote July 7 at 4 p.m.

Council members bickered all day about whether or not to vote on the Toledo Police Patrolman's Association's new contract with the city.

Those who wanted to wait said it was too early to vote because council received details of the contract deal at around 8 p.m. Wednesday. 

"We're talking about an agreement that will total close to $120 million over the next three years," added Councilman Mike Craig.

Councilmen Michael Ashford, Joe McNamara, and Craig feel the less than 12 hours they were given to look over the contract was not a reasonable time to make a decision.

"Some of the people that still have concerns, it's because they feel the concessions don't go deep enough," Councilman McNamara said.

Councilman McNamara said there may just not be enough money in the city budget to fulfill the contract with the TPPA.

"I'm frustrated that we've been asking the administration to arrive at this place," Councilwoman Lindsay Webb said. "We've arrived at this place, and some members of council still want more time."

Other council members said the contract had been negotiated for several months and it was time to vote.

"With all due respect, I feel like most of the questions have been answered," Councilwoman Webb said. "At this point, the citizens expect us, through this meeting, to make a decision today."

"I think we're all comfortable that we have gotten all the info in order to make a decision. I'm ready to vote," added Councilman George Sarantou.

Police union president Dan Wagner said putting off the vote will now cost the city more money, since the contract includes defferal of overtime this year.

"Here you have one of the busiest days of the year, the Fourth of July, where they recall a large number of officers," Wagner said. "All the overtime is going to have to be paid out in cash because the contract was not ratified. So, we're talking over $60,000 in OT for one day because they decided to wait."

Mayor Carty Finkbeiner, who had been pleased with the contract agreement with the police union and his administration, was not pleased at council dragging their feet.

"I hope that when you convene on Tuesday that it is a unanimous vote," the mayor said.