Georgetown council ratifies new FOP contract covering May 2025–April 2028

The Georgetown Town Council ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with the Georgetown Fraternal Order of Police on June 23, 2025, covering May 1, 2025, through April 30, 2028. Town staff described changes to pay scales, grievance procedures and pensionable pay definitions, and the union president thanked the council for support.

Town Manager Gene summarized contract provisions to council: the starting salary for patrolman is $74,000 effective May 1, 2025; there is a 5% increase between successive ranks (patrolman to patrolman first class, corporal, master corporal, sergeant, lieutenant and captain); and a 2% pay‑grade increase across all pay grades each year on an employee’s anniversary date. Effective May 1, 2026, the starting salary for patrolmen will increase by 3.5% plus $1,000, and a further 3.5% plus $1,000 increase will take effect May 1, 2027. The detective clothing allowance was raised to $800, and the contract includes a schedule clarifying which items are pensionable pay under Delaware code.

Council moved, seconded and ratified the agreement by roll call. Georgetown FOP president Kristen Repass told the council the contract “is more than just a document to us. It represents your recognition and of the hard work, professionalism, and dedication of the officers who serve this community every day,” and said the agreement should aid recruitment and retention.

Why it matters: The contract changes affect town payroll and the police department’s ability to recruit officers and maintain staffing. Town officials and police union leaders said the agreement responds to recruitment challenges and aligns pay across ranks and anniversaries.

Next steps: Staff will finalize and execute the contract language and implement the pay changes according to the schedule specified in the agreement.