Committee approves tentative police union agreement including longevity pay trial

The committee voted to approve a tentative agreement with the police union that, according to staff, includes multi-year pay increases and a trial change to longevity pay intended to aid recruitment and retention. Committee members approved the motion without recorded opposition. The agreement, described by a staff presenter, provides a 4% increase for the second half of 2025 and additional 4% increases in subsequent years, and introduces a one-time longevity payout beginning at five years with step increases every five years instead of the existing monthly longevity payments. "We were able to secure... 4% increase for the the second half of this year and 4% for '26, '27," the presenter said, and described the longevity change as a one-time payout rather than a monthly add-on. City staff also said retiree health insurance in the tentative agreement would match the fire department plan, lowering the service-year threshold for retiree health from 20 years to 15 years for some employees, which staff said could increase the attractiveness of lateral transfers. The presenter said the administration also adjusted training and work-hour language to acknowledge straight-time wages versus overtime and that boundary adjustments were made to limit excessively long travel calls from distant counties. Alderwoman Michelle asked clarifying questions about the longevity payout schedule and whether the listed amounts were annual, and a staff member confirmed the payments would be annual. Michelle expressed the view that the contract would be competitive and could help with retention: "I believe this will be a a competitive, contract. I think everyone is is satisfied. I think anything less than this, it could be a challenge as far as, recruitment, and possibly even retention." The committee approved the motion to accept the tentative agreement after a second. No detailed roll-call vote tally or dissenting votes were recorded in the transcript. Committee members and staff emphasized the agreement aimed to make the city more attractive to experienced lateral transfers and to reduce overtime costs through schedule and training-language changes. Staff also reported other jurisdictions were offering large sign-on bonuses, which the city said it does not plan to match. The committee carried the motion; staff said the agreement is a tentative agreement and remains subject to finalization under the contract process.