Havre City Council Monday unanimously approved the final part of its contracts with the Havre Police Department and Department of Public Works unions, implementing a 3 percent raise for both effective Jan. 1 of this year.

Mayor Tim Solomon said the proposal implemented an earlier agreement, with different percentages for a shorter period.

He said those contracts were finalized except for wages, so Monday’s actions put the last piece in place.

The negotiations with the firefighters union are ongoing, and city representatives will meet with union officials next week, Solomon said.

Initially the city was pushing for a 1.5-percent increase effective July 1, 2010. The 3 percent hike means the city will be paying out the same amount of money in this fiscal year, the mayor said.

“It comes out to the same dollar amount for the year, so it’s in the budget. It wouldn’t affect us in the long run, ” Solomon said.

In a separate action, council approved giving a pay bump to a returning Havre police officer.

Police Chief Jerry Nystrom said former officer Michael Labaty has returned to the force. He left the Havre force after serving for eight years, and gaining the rank of sergeant.

“He’s back and has the full intention of remaining here for the remainder of his career, ” Nystrom said.

He said that, by state law, Labaty has to enter the force as a probationary officer and will have to work his way back up the ranks as any new officer would. However, he asked the council to approve moving Labaty’s pay to a higher pay level to reflect his experience.

Before the council unanimously approved the action, Council Chair Allen “Woody” Woodwick spoke in favor of it.

“I think we're very fortunate to get Mr. Labaty back, ” he said, “because any time you can get experience on the police force like that, it is good (for the city.) ”