The City of Sycamore came one step closer to approving a collective bargaining agreement with Local 3046 of the International Association of Firefighters Monday night.

The city has been in works with Local 3046 for over nine months trying to reach an agreement regarding firefighter employment.

An arbitrator was hired in late August to mediate the situation.

The agreement that was reached would cut two firefighter positions and give Local 3046 a 3.75 percent raise, or they would keep all positions, and all city workers would receive a 2 percent raise.

“I don’t think any of us want to lay people off,” said 2nd Ward Alderman Pete Paulsen. “A 3.75 percent increase is not acceptable in this day and age. Two percent is pretty darn nice in this economy.”

First Ward Alderman Rich Neubauer echoed Paulsen’s comments.

“To me, what seems perfectly reasonable is to give everyone a 2 percent raise across the board,” Neubauer said.

Sycamore firefighter Don Faulhaber voiced his concern in laying off firefighters.

“If you lay off more firefighters,” Faulhaber said, “you’ll be paying more in overtime.”

City Manager Bill Nicklas is aware of the tough decisions that lay before the city.

“I intend to do my very best to find some middle ground so I can present the balanced budget you all expect,” Nicklas said.

Sycamore Mayor Ken Mundy said steps must be taken to reach an agreement as soon as possible.

“If we can get it done with keeping everyone on the payroll, terrific,” Mundy said. “But we’ve got to get it done.”

No vote was taken on the contract and will be brought back to the council at the March 2 meeting.