Duluth Council Approved Police Wage Increase

The city council voted 7 to 2 to raise police lieutenant salaries by 5% beginning in January 2027.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in City Hall

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a granite municipal archway, symbolizing the structure of city policy decisions. — The Duluth City Council voted 7-2 on October 13 to grant police lieutenants a 5% salary increase starting in January 2027. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should your city prioritize police wage increases when facing significant local budget deficits?

Duluth City Council members approved a collective bargaining agreement that grants police lieutenants a 5% wage increase starting in January 2027. The measure passed with a 7 to 2 vote during the council session on October 13, 2026.

Why it matters

Councilor Arik Forsman supported the pay raise as a necessary step to maintain police staffing levels and ensure public safety. However, Councilor Wendy Durrwachter opposed the resolution, citing the city's ongoing multimillion-dollar budgetary deficit as a reason for concern.

The council approved a 5% wage increase for police lieutenants, which follows a 10-15% salary hike provided to the police department in 2022. This new expenditure is officially included in the city's 2027 budget.

The players

Arik Forsman

Arik Forsman is a Duluth City Councilor who advocated for the wage increase to support police staffing.

Wendy Durrwachter

Wendy Durrwachter is a Duluth City Councilor who voted against the increase due to budget concerns.

The details

In addition to the police contract, the council passed zoning measures protecting over 1,500 acres of land, including 1,119 acres designated as a Park and Open Space District and 531 acres in the Natural Areas Program. The council also approved infrastructure plans for 4th Street, which will install new bike lanes and no-parking zones.

In 2022, the city provided a 10-15% salary increase to the police department.
On October 13, 2026, the City Council passed the police pay raise and land resolutions.
The 5% wage increase takes effect in January 2027.

Political Context

Opponents of the pay raise point to the city's persistent multimillion-dollar budgetary deficit as a structural barrier to new spending. The council remains divided between prioritizing immediate staffing needs and managing long-term fiscal sustainability.

Residents will see infrastructure changes on 4th Street, where new bike lanes and no-parking zones will be implemented between 3rd and 6th Avenues East. Taxpayers should monitor how the city balances these new administrative costs with the reported multimillion-dollar budget deficit.

The takeaway

The council is balancing investments in public safety and land preservation against a significant municipal budget deficit. Residents should expect continued debate over fiscal priorities as the 2027 budget cycle approaches.