Akron Police officers have given nearly unanimous approval to a new three year contract wirth the city.

FOP Lodge 7 President Paul Hlynsky tells AkronNewsNow " The  outcome was a 98% ratification vote. I think that's one of the highest we've ever had. Only six people voted against the tentative agreement. I'm very happy and very proud of my members for  seeing that this is a good deal, at least for this time right now. Now we can move on to bigger issues like local government finds and other issues at the state and national level."

Hlynsky says the contract provides an overall wage increase of four percent over the life of the contract, including two percent in the first year and one percent increases the second and third years . He says the contract also provides for the possibility of bonuses based on the city's income tax collections.

The union's health care coverage, and other provisions in the previous contract remain the same in the new contract. 

Hlynsky calls the new contract a win-win for the officers and the city, and says now both can concentrate on trying to  increase the police department's manpower, which now stands at 418 officers. Hlynsky says the city may be starting another training class for future officers and he hopes that becomes a reality to allow the department to once again grow