The City of Port Huron has approved new collective bargaining agreements with the city’s various unions Monday. Port Huron City Manager James Freed tells WPHM employees will receive moderate increases over the next three years to help make up for nearly a decade of stagnant wages in the city. He says the pay raises come after city employees agreed to pay freezes and increased out of pocket costs for healthcare as a part of reforming the city’s unfunded liabilities. With the city successfully bonding out those unfunded expenses, Freed says they can now afford to give annual raises of 4% in 2023, 3.5% in 2024, and 3% in 2025.
Port Huron City Council also approved spending nearly $1.4 million with Boddy Construction for the construction of a new pathway along the Black River Canal including a new bridge linking Port Huron Northern High School to Holland Woods Middle School. Of that, only about $300,000 will come from the city, the rest from donations and grants. Mayor Pro-Tem Sherry Archibald tells WPHM the new bridge will be higher than the tainter gate at the entrance to the canal, meaning all current boat traffic will be able to pass beneath it. Council also entered into an agreement with ROWE Professional Services Company to serve as engineer for a new skate park at Optimist Park.
