Bloomington reaches agreement with Fraternal Order of Police
The City of Bloomington and the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) have reached a contingent agreement on the terms of a new collective bargaining agreement (https://bton.in/EVCm1. The new contract would govern salaries and benefits for FOP members for four years starting in 2023.
The contingent agreement continues and expands one-time investments made in 2022 funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and other federal supports, including 2023 salary increases of more than 13% for officers first class and more than 12.5% for senior police officers. The City and the Union agreed on a 60% increase to members’ annual longevity benefits and agreed to double officers’ longevity pay in their 20th year, from $2,500 to $5,000 annually.
On January 1, 2023, an officer first class with one year of service at the Bloomington Police Department would see their salary increase by $6,694. A senior police officer with 20 years of service would see their salary increase by $9,189. Overall, over four years the contract would provide an increase of 23.3% in base pay for a total of $72,266 for officers first class and 22.8% in base pay for a total of $75,465 for senior police officers. The new contract would also memorialize the Juneteenth holiday and simplify how overtime pay is computed.
Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton and the members of the FOP have both approved the terms of the contingent agreement. Before the agreement can be final and in effect, the City Council must take additional steps, including establishing a new annual source of revenue adequate to fund the agreement and giving formal approval of the agreement through a Council vote. The City anticipates proposing a local income tax increase for the Council’s consideration during the first half of 2022, which is the most likely source for the needed new revenue.
Indiana Legislature passes Constitutional Carry Bill
The Indiana combined Legislature approved a Bill which would repeal requirements for a permit to carry a handgun in public. Indiana currently requires a license for residents to carry a loaded handgun outside of their homes, businesses, and cars. The Bill allows anyone age 18 or older to carry a handgun in public, except convicted felons, those named in a Court-ordered restraining order, and those with certain mental illness. The concept has been addressed in numerous other states in recent years, is largely known by the name of ‘Constitutional Carry’. The Bill was passed in the Indiana House 68-30 and in the Senate 30-20. Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb now has the option to either sign the Bill into law or veto the Bill within a week’s time. To date, Governor Holcomb has not made public his intentions.
Union Health Foundation gifts Ivy Tech Community College Terre Haute $1 Million to expand Nursing Program
Union Health Foundation has announced a transformational gift of $1 million to Ivy Tech Community College Terre Haute, the state’s #1 ranked program for Associate Degrees in Nursing. The gift, the largest in campus history, will allow Ivy Tech Terre Haute to expand its School of Nursing enrollment capacity. Additionally, the gift will provide support to the School of Health Sciences in developing a robust pipeline for future healthcare professionals.
Union Health currently employs more than 600 Ivy Tech graduates, which is equal to nearly 20% of their total staff. Union Health has served as a clinical site for Ivy Tech Terre Haute students for over 50 years. Those clinical experiences create an ideal pathway to full-time employment for graduates, but there is still a significant gap in skilled workers and workforce needs both locally and statewide.
This gift from Union Health Foundation will fund hiring nursing faculty and will allow Ivy Tech Terre Haute to increase nursing enrollment locally by at least 20 students and support the School of Nursing and School of Health Sciences with a holistic approach to recruitment, retention, and completion in the following ways:
Support the Healthcare Pipeline
Support for a comprehensive renovation project within the School of Health Sciences will create modern classrooms and labs. These renovations will allow for opportunities to create simulated experiences in the patient care setting, enabling a seamless transition from Ivy Tech Terre Haute to the workforce.
Aid in Retention and Completion within the School of Nursing
Each year, Ivy Tech Terre Haute accepts around 180 total students into the School of Nursing. Retention of these students and their successful completion is the quickest way to see growth in the available nursing workforce. Retention and completion efforts will include an expansion of nursing tutoring programs and financial aid for 100 graduating students annually to participate in credentialing test preparation courses.
Expand Enrollment in the School of Nursing
To expand the number of incoming students in the School of Nursing and continue to meet accreditation standards, additional faculty support is required. With the support from Union Health, the School of Nursing will be able to add faculty and increase the annual enrollment by at least 20 students, bringing the annual total enrollment to 200 or more.
This Week in Hoosier History
1928 – The first basketball game was played at Butler Fieldhouse, the largest arena in the nation at that time. Butler defeated Notre Dame 21 – 13 in overtime. In 1966 the name was changed to Hinkle Fieldhouse to honor legendary Butler coach Tony Hinkle.
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