Commission approves contract with police

The Lawrence City Commission on Tuesday approved a contract with the city’s police officers for 2004.

Negotiations with the Lawrence Police Officers Assn. hit an impasse over the summer because officers were concerned about expected health insurance increases; they also wanted an extra day of vacation.

The first problem was solved when commissioners agreed earlier this month to absorb the insurance costs increases for all city employees. The vacation issue will be examined during a compensation study over the next year, officials said.

Like other city employees, police will not receive a cost-of-living increase in 2004.

City to pay ‘living wage’

Lawrence city commissioners decided Tuesday to practice what they preach.

Commissioners agreed to pay all city employees a “living wage” — defined as 130 percent the poverty level for a family of three, about $9.53 an hour — starting in 2004.

As a result, 15 employees will receive raises in January. Another 175 will be eligible for pay raises later in the year under the plan approved Tuesday. The additional pay will cost the city $115,000 in 2004.

Commissioners said they wouldn’t raise taxes for the extra pay; city departments will have to find cost savings elsewhere in their budgets.

With that, commissioners approved publication of the proposed $110.7 million budget. Lawrence property owners will pay a tax rate of 28.07 mills to the city, about $484 for a $150,000 home. A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of assessed valuation.

The commission will discuss in August a proposal to require companies that receive a tax abatement to pay their employees a living wage.

No meeting next week

The Lawrence City Commission will not meet July 29. As is commissioners’ custom, they will take off the fifth Tuesday of the month.