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Council advances amendments raising benefit caps for general employees and police
Summary
On first readings, council advanced ordinances to raise the annual retirement benefit cap from $100,000 to $110,000 (Oct. 1, 2025) and to $112,000 by Oct. 1, 2027, and to increase the backdrop interest rate; the general employees ordinance includes language to allow purchase of up to three years of prior government or military service.
Jacksonville Beach — The City Council on Sept. 15 adopted first readings for ordinances that would increase the maximum annual benefit cap in the city’s retirement plans and raise the interest rate used to calculate certain benefits.
Deputy City Manager Karen Nelson described two proposed ordinances. The general employees retirement system amendment would increase the annual benefit cap from $100,000 to $110,000 effective Oct. 1, 2025; to $111,000 on Oct. 1, 2026; and to $112,000 on Oct. 1, 2027. It also raises the interest rate for the backdrop benefit from 3% to 3.5% and would permit plan members to purchase up to three years of credited prior government or military service. An actuarial impact statement in the packet estimates an illustrative city portion increase for the upcoming fiscal year of $138,785.
A separate ordinance makes comparable cap increases and a 3.5% backdrop interest rate change to the police officers retirement system. Nelson noted the police plan change was part of the recently negotiated collective bargaining agreement.
Public hearings on both ordinances were opened and closed with no speaker cards. The council approved the general employees ordinance on first reading (roll call: Horn yes; Jansen yes; Sutton no; Wouters no; Golding yes; Mayor Hoffman yes) and approved the police officers ordinance on first reading (majority affirmative votes recorded).
Ending: Both ordinances were scheduled for second readings on Oct. 20, 2025. The general employees ordinance shows a modest fiscal impact in the actuarial statement; additional actuarial actions and final votes will follow at second reading.
