Schuylkill County commissioners on Thursday signed off on an arbitration settlement with two court employees’ unions.

The settlement resulted in five-year contracts granting wage increases of 3 percent in each year.

The contracts, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2016, also increase the health care contributions for the 203 employees, said county solicitor Al Marshall.

Robert Millet served as an independent arbitrator. Todd Eagen represented the unions, and Marshall the county.

The result was a fair outcome for both sides, Marshall said.

“It gives the employees the stability of knowing what they have for the next five years,” he said.

“The county is pleased. We thank Mr. Millet for his efforts.”

In other matters Thursday, commissioners agreed to seek bids for the superstructure replacement of county bridge 28 on Wild Turkey Lane over Little Schuylkill River in East Brunswick Township.

Bids will be received by the controller’s office until 3 p.m. Dec. 4. The bids will be publicly opened at the commissioners’ work session scheduled for 10 a.m. Dec. 6, with a tentative award date of Dec. 13.

Commissioners also approved an $89,700 agreement with Y. Kim Architects, Pottsville, for professional services associated with the renovations proposed to the Human Services Building, 410 N. Centre St., Pottsville.

Also on Thursday, commissioners renewed seven five-year leases for the postage machines in each of the district judges’ offices.

The lease is $53 per month per machine, for a total of $22,352.