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CHAMPION -- Township trustees have ratified a new three-year contract with the local Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association that represents seven officers.
The contract is retroactive to May 1, 2023, and runs through April 30, 2026.
Officials said the contract gives a 3% increase the first year, and 2.5% increases in the second and third years.
Trustee Chairman Rex Fee said at Tuesday's meeting the first year is an increase of 95 cents per hour from $24.70 to $25.65; the second year is an increase of 75 cents per hour from $25.65 to $26.40; and the third year is an increase 75 cents per hour from $26.40 to $27.15.
New hires in the department will increase from $19.76 to $20.71 per hour.
Fiscal Officer Courtney Hatt said the pay increases will cost the township $35,000 for wages.
Trustees also are preparing to begin negotiations with the fire and road department unions as their current contracts expired at the end of May.
POLICE DOG
Officials also are working on a Memorandum of Understanding for a police officer to serve as the handler for a police dog named Storm, which is a 1-year-old Belgian Malinois. It will be the first police dog for the department.
Fee said details are being worked on that when the dog is retired from service, it will be given to the handler for $1 or if the program is ended, it will be given to the handler since the dog will become used to the handler and his family.
A $9,000 donation from the Champion Police Ladies Auxiliary will be used to purchase Storm through Alpha Pack K9 Training in New Springfield.
Fee said officer Mike Lowery was selected as the dog's handler and the dog will complete training, which includes a handler course, hands-on scenario training, case law, report writing, canine first aid and tactics.
Officials said money for Storm's purchase, care and accommodations will come from the auxiliary and private donations.
Police Chief Larry Skaggs said he has received positive feedback from the public on the idea of a police dog.
Trustees have scheduled a special meeting for 5:30 p.m. Feb. 27 during which they will interview candidates for an opening in the road department and, if ready, approve the MOU for the police handler.
Trustees also have been in contact with the Champion schools to plan a community event such as a tailgate at the school property for the April 8 solar eclipse.
Fee said parts of Ohio, including Trumbull County, are in the best viewing path for the solar eclipse.