By Logan McCullough

After long negotiations between the Kyle Police Association and the city, a final labor contract could soon be in place.

The two entities negotiated and constructed a new Meet and Confer Agreement earlier this month. 

If enacted, this agreement will be in effect until Sept. 30, 2019. 

However, there is a clause stating the agreement may be extended an additional year if mutually decided upon and would be in effect until Sept. 20, 2020. 

A Meet and Confer agreement allows the city of Kyle and the Kyle Police Association to create a set of conditions for the full scope of police activity in conjunction with city involvement. 

The agreement creates conditions all members of the Kyle Police Association and the city of Kyle must abide by. It extends to hiring procedures, promotional process and base wage compensation. 

Texas state laws demand the agreement will become effective only after ratification by the recognized police associationafter a vote by secret ballot. A majority of the police officers must vote in favor of ratifying the agreement. 

Compliance with any procedural or publication requirements imposed by charter must be approved by a majority vote by the city council.

One important clause in this agreement that differs from the previous three-year Meet and Confer agreement is the option to adjust pay scale. 

According to the contract, the city may elect to increase the pay of any classification in the current Civil Service Step Plan, without entering negotiations, at any time for the duration of this agreement.