The Butler County commissioners on Thursday will vote on a new four-year contract covering 85 correction officers that includes a 3 percent raise for each year.

The union workers on May 7 approved the offer in a 36 to 15 vote.

The first pay hike takes effect June 1. Subsequent raises will occur on Jan. 1 of each year of the contract.

Commissioner Dale Pinkerton, board chairman, said in an interview the workers’ acceptance of the contract offer is good news.

“We were very pleased the vote came in the way it did,” he said.

Warden Rich Gigliotti is pleased with the resolution of contract talks.

“I’m just very pleased they were able to come to an agreement,” he said.

Under the contract, a full-time officer’s uniform annual allowance rises from $425 to $475.

Regular part-timers, who typically are scheduled 32 hours each week, now receive an annual uniform allowance of $200. They previously had none.

The contract covers 76 full-time officers and nine part-timers

If approved Thursday, this contract would be the last one covering a large number of employees needing signed.

Earlier this year, the county reached agreements with unions representing about 200 workers at the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and with 300 employees at the government center and courthouse.

The only other bargaining unit left unsigned is one covering the four county detectives.

Commissioner James Kennedy said signing the new pacts was a priority.

“The board has taken the initiative on getting things done,” he said.

Kennedy also credited the unions for working with the county to reach new agreements.

Pinkerton said the county and its employees need to work together.

Pinkerton said once the contract for correction officers is signed, all county employees will be paying a portion of their health benefits.

The county is projected to save $1.5 million annually with the total employee contributions, which are made via a 1.5 percent deduction from paychecks.