A conciliator has awarded officers in the Campbell Police Department signing bonuses at a time when the city is going through some financial difficulties.

The conciliator has awarded the Campbell City Police Department with a signing bonus of $3,000 a piece.

The department went into conciliation because of stalled contract negotiations.

Mayor Nick Phillips says this will be a big problem because the city is already in some financial troubles, and they'll have a difficult time paying that money.

City council rejected a fact-finder's report from earlier this year that called for city-wide raises.

"They were calling for a 3% raise across the board and our general fund only had $49,000 in it. To be fiscally responsible there's no way we can sustain any kind of raises at this time," said Council President, Geroge Levendis.

The bonuses in the police department will cost the city $36,000.  Maybe a lot more if they have to pay other department union members because of a so-called "me too" clause in their contracts.  That could mean another $50,000-$60,000.

City officials told 21 News they believe the conciliator acted on some things they did not have the authority to do so on in the conciliator report.

They think there are some issues that the city can fight back on.

They're expecting to find out more next week when the final report is due.