The Simi Valley City Council on Oct. 20 voted unanimously to solicit public input and return the proposed revisions to the memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with two police employee groups for final determination at the Nov. 3 council meeting.

Assistant City Manager (staff) presented proposed terms negotiated with the Simi Valley Police Officers Association (POA). Staff described a 24-month agreement through June 30, 2027, proposed increases to the city contribution to the flexible benefits package (SimiFlex) to $2,500 per month in year one and $2,600 in year two, and a change that would eliminate the bottom three steps of the police officer salary range to improve recruitment and retention. Staff stated the general-fund impact would be “approximately $4,200,000 over the next 2 years.” Staff said funds have been identified in the current budget to cover the projected costs.

On the Police Managers Association proposal, staff summarized a two-year package that includes a 5.5% salary increase effective the first payroll period after adoption and a 4.5% increase in the following year, the same proposed increases to the flexible benefits contribution, adjustments to pay-range bottoms for assistant police chief and police commander to address compaction, an additional 0.5 hours of annual leave per pay period, and minor language updates. Staff estimated the two-year general-fund impact at roughly $489,115.

Council members asked clarifying questions; Council Member Litster noted a typo in the staff report’s summary line and confirmed the text elsewhere reflected the presented numbers. No council member moved to adopt the MOUs at the Oct. 20 meeting; instead, the council voted to accept public input and return the items for final action on Nov. 3.

Why it matters: the proposed agreements are intended to aid recruitment and retention of police personnel and would increase personnel costs charged to the general fund if approved.