BEATRICE – Beatrice Police officers, represented by the Fraternal Order of Police Union Lodge 84, have a new contract.

The city council approved the two-year agreement Monday night. Mayor Bob Morgan says it grants a 2.75 percent raise the first year and 3 percent the second year.

"When we visited with them, one of the things that we did make a difference in, is there really wasn't a category for the sergeants, which is actually a step above a patrolman....so we added that step in there, which I think probably was a good move."  Morgan called it a reasonable contract and he said negotiations went really well.

In other action Monday night, the city council approved a downtown economic development loan of $75,000 to John and Rita Hydo. The loan was approved, with Council member Dana Hydo abstaining. She is the daughter of the loan recipients.

The council also approved an Americans With Disabilities transition plan the city will follow.

"There's a really logical way of doing a number of those projects, because now we have a playbook. We certainly cannot do them all at one time, but now we have a way that says...as we do maintenance, as we do the small things....if we're going to replace something, you look at the book and say does this need to be done?"  The plan will map out accessibility improvements for those with disabilities.

City Council President Mike McLain was appointed by the mayor Monday night, to serve as the city’s representative in discussions about a potential merger of the Beatrice Area Chamber of Commerce, Gage Area Growth Enterprise and Main Street Beatrice.