ARLINGTON – The City Council Monday approved a collective bargaining agreement between the city and Arlington Police Officers’ Association for 2017-2018.

The two-year contract includes proposed pay increases totaling 4.75 percent – 1.75 percent effective back to Jan. 1, 2017, a 1.5 percent increase on Jan. 1, 2018, and another 1.5 percent on July 1 next year, Assistant City Administrator Heather Logan said.

“Both parties would like it (the agreement) to move along,” said Logan, before a unanimous vote.

The agreement also includes proposed language regarding a take home cars program, which would convene a joint task force to study the viability of creating the new program.

APOA has ratified the agreement.The bargaining unit represents 25 commissioned officer in the department. Police Chief Jonathan Ventura is writing a COPS grant seeking a 26th officer, Logan added.