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City modernizes employee retirement options and ratifies AFSCME contracts covering 2025–2028
Summary
The Hollywood City Commission on Sept. 17 adopted a second-reading ordinance changing the city employees’ retirement fund to add defined-contribution and hybrid options, set implementation for Feb. 1, 2026, and ratified three collective bargaining agreements with AFSCME covering 2025–2028.
Hollywood — The City Commission on Sept. 17 approved changes to the City of Hollywood Employees’ Retirement Fund and ratified collective bargaining agreements covering three AFSCME bargaining units.
Pension reform: On second reading the commission adopted an ordinance that amends Section 33.025 of the city code to add two new optional retirement plans — a defined-contribution plan and a hybrid plan — and to revise the composition of the pension board and language governing purchase of accredited service. The ordinance sets a targeted implementation date of Feb. 1, 2026, to allow time for elections and administrative setup. City staff and the pension board’s representatives said the changes will give employees more choice and are expected to reduce long-term city costs.
Collective bargaining agreements: The commission also approved resolutions ratifying AFSCME collective bargaining agreements for three units (general employees, supervisory employees and professional employees) covering the 2025–2028 contract period. Staff said the negotiations were collaborative and that the contracts restore a form of longevity recognition and provide other compensation and benefit updates. AFSCME Local 2432 president Baki Korcyweg thanked staff and the city for negotiation time that included multiple meetings and working sessions.
Votes and recusals: The pension ordinance passed on second reading by roll call (6–0 as recorded in the minutes at that time). The three AFSCME ratifications passed; the Professional Employees unit ratification passed with one abstention by Commissioner Biederman (who said he was recusing because of a potential conflict related to a family member’s membership in that bargaining unit), resulting in a recorded vote of 6–0 with one abstention for that item. The general-employee and supervisory unit ratifications were approved unanimously.
Why it matters: Staff characterized the retirement changes as “modernizing” an older legacy plan and offering employees voluntary choices expected to improve recruitment and retention. AFSCME leaders and commissioners said the new longevity language and pension options will help retain experienced staff and give newer employees retirement choices that fit contemporary workforce expectations.
What commissioners and union leaders said: City staff described the changes as the product of year-long work with employee representatives and the pension administrator. “We felt that we wanted to bring to AFSCME the opportunity for a variety of retirement options…some of those options are predicted to save the city substantial amounts of money while giving our employees a lot more flexibility,” a staff presenter said. AFSCME Local 2432 President Baki Korcyweg said the union membership overwhelmingly approved the contract language after months of bargaining.
Ending: The commission recorded the ordinance and ratifications as adopted and set the retirement ordinance’s effective date to allow administrative steps, elections and communication to members before the new options are offered.
