Council approves staff drafting ordinance to extend police DROP from five to eight years

The Tavares City Council on April 2 authorized city staff to work with the city attorney to draft an ordinance that would amend the closed local police pension plan to increase the maximum DROP (Deferred Retirement Option Program) period from five years to eight years, aligning it with the Florida Retirement System (FRS).

City staff explained that some long‑tenured officers are covered by a closed local pension plan while newer hires are enrolled in the FRS. Under FRS, eligible employees may elect an eight‑year DROP; the proposed change would make the closed local plan equitable with FRS and allow affected officers to continue working while accumulating pension payments in an interest‑bearing account.

A motion was made and seconded to approve option 1 (craft the ordinance language). Council discussion characterized the change as a benefit likely to encourage officers to remain on the job longer; a staff member noted the change would be optional for employees and would take effect only if the council later adopts the drafted ordinance.

The motion passed by voice vote; council directed staff to draft ordinance text and return it for later consideration. Council members and a speaker from the audience (a Royal Harbor resident) publicly commended police leadership and said the change would support retention. The council noted the fire department could pursue a similar amendment if it chooses to bring a separate ordinance forward.

All direct quotations in this article come from the meeting record and are attributed to speakers identified in the transcript.