Council will look at a resolution urging the Ohio General Assembly to reconsider state laws limiting the ability of local governments to control personnel costs through collective bargaining. According to the city, about 75 percent of its annual expenditures go toward personnel. Those costs are expected to increase by $1 million in 2011.

Councilman Josh Laubach first introduced the possible legislation and has spearheaded the resolution. Councilman A.J. Smith has publicly spoken against the resolution, stating to take away a union’s ability to arbitrate contracts sends the message that “employees don’t deserve rights.”

Members of the Middletown Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 36 and the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 336 — the city’s largest unions — are expected to be in attendance to hear the discussion.