Police and firefighters in San Marcos signed their first-ever meet and confer agreements with San Marcos city officials this week.

San Marcos City Councilmembers could be voting on close $3 million of expenditures in the next three years when they decide whether to accept collectively bargained agreements with their police and firefighters Tuesday night.

The city’s approval of its first collectively bargained agreement with its police officers is on hold until next month. The San Marcos City Council voted unanimously at a special meeting Monday night to postpone action on the deal, which would set forth conditions of employment and increase police pay for its present roster of 95 officers by $1.8 million during the next three years.

San Marcos Police Chief Howard Williams tried to re-assure local residents about the city’s safety at a community meeting last Friday night, but he also asked that San Marcians tip off the cops about drug dealing.

On the eve of an election that could define a new voting majority on the city council, San Marcos City Councilmembers voted Monday to table two contentious items regarding compensation. Councilmembers tabled an employment agreement with the city’s police officers, then tabled a second and deciding vote on payment for themselves.

Amid their meet and confer negotiations to forge collectively bargained agreements with the city, San Marcos police and fire fighters have increasingly promoted their interests during this election season.