Orange police association urges council to match 5.8% raise offered to firefighters

Representatives of the Orange Municipal Police Association urged the City of Orange to match a 5.8% raise given to the fire association, saying their membership rejected a tentative agreement after learning the firefighters’ increase was permanent while the police proposal was not.

Tom McHenry, representing the Orange Municipal Police Association, told the council the association initially reached a tentative agreement with the city but later rejected ratification after learning that “the fire association had been offered a 5.8% raise” and that the police package was not structured the same way. McHenry said the police were offered a 5% raise and a $4,500 annual payment that he described as a one-time payment carried from last year’s contract rather than made permanent to hourly pay.

“Our intent is not to disrupt that relationship,” McHenry said, adding the union’s concern was morale, retention and recognition as the department faces recruitment challenges. He asked the council to “match the 5.8% offer that was extended to our fire department colleagues.”

Staff and council did not record a formal action on the association’s request in the transcript provided. The council later discussed budgetary constraints and how raises were reflected in the proposed budget during deliberations on the fiscal 2025-26 budget and tax rate.

Why it matters: The structure of employee pay increases—permanent versus one-time payments—affects ongoing personnel costs and retention. The police association’s request ties directly into the council’s broader budget deliberations.