Watertown City Council Approves Police Officers’ Contract, Securing 3.5% Raise and Stable Benefits.
- Steve Jurrens
- Dec 1
- 2 min read
Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - The Watertown City Council unanimously approved the 2026 Collective Bargaining Agreement Addendum with the Watertown Police Officers Association during its meeting on Monday. The new addendum grants a 3.5% overall wage increase for police officers, effective in 2026.
City Manager Alan Stager presented the item, noting that the increase is comprised of a 1.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) and a 2% advance on the wage grid. Stager highlighted that the value of the rise is amplified because the city did not incur an increase in its health insurance plan for 2026, meaning employee contributions will not rise.
In addition to the wage increase, the agreement includes a minor increase in the city’s monthly match to the supplemental employee retirement plan for fully participating members.
Stager also informed the Council that the city has tentatively agreed to "essentially the same terms and conditions" with the remaining two city unions, with those agreements anticipated to be on the December 15th Council agenda.
The approved addendum also includes a change in language regarding employee compensation during specific city facility closures. Previously, language required equal treatment across all employees if a single department closed. The new language reflects the city’s preference that, if one facility closes but others remain open, employees must make up the hours or use paid time off (PTO) or vacation time. However, if a "significant event" forces the closure of a particular facility, all city employees would be granted additional paid time off.
During the discussion, Councilman Brent Mohrmann asked about the compensation for the "handful" of employees at the maxed-out step (Step 15) of the wage matrix. Stager confirmed that these employees would still receive the 1.5% COLA, but not the 2% step advancement. Stager indicated that he would keep the door open with the unions for an ongoing conversation and may bring forward a "special request" for the few maxed-out employees in the future to ensure they are not "shortchanged" on their raises.
The motion to approve the addendum was made by Councilman Doug Allen, seconded by Councilman Kyle Peters, and carried by an all-in-favor roll call vote.
