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Council approves police and fire pay plan; some members say timing and size fall short
Summary
The committee advanced a pay plan for police and fire employees effective July 1, 2025, after debate about whether it will address recruitment problems; sponsor said she will seek more funding if possible and the charter limits council revisions at this stage.
The Metropolitan Council moved forward with a new pay plan for police and fire employees that would take effect July 1, 2025, after committee debate about whether the package arrives too late in the process to fix recruitment shortfalls.
Chair Porterfield, sponsor of the pay plan resolution, urged support while acknowledging concerns and said she would seek an additional 1% increase if the council can find $8 million–$10 million in savings: "If there is a way for me to find an additional 1%, that is what my intent is so that we can match the recommendations of civil service." She said matching the Civil Service Commission recommendation would require finding significant cuts elsewhere in the budget.
Some members said the timing limited the council’s ability to adjust the plan. Director Darby explained the charter’s options: the council may adopt the plan as presented, amend it uniformly without changing grade relationships, or reject it and return it to the Civil Service Commission to formulate a new plan. Darby said a rejection would leave the 2024 pay plan in place until a new plan is adopted.
Councilmember Nash said he would support the plan now and work for changes later, calling the situation a "hold my nose" vote. Councilmember Weiner said she supported the item but urged future changes to allow more time for review. Chair Porterfield said a failure to pass the plan would be harmful to Metro employees.
The committee recorded three votes in opposition and three members not voting; the resolution advanced in committee and will go to the full council. Several speakers emphasized that while the plan represents additional pay for employees, council and staff will need to discuss structural changes and timing so future pay plans can be considered earlier in the budget cycle.
Director Hall and council members discussed legal and administrative consequences if the council rejects the plan, including returning the measure to the Civil Service Commission and continuing under the existing 2024 pay plan until a new plan is prepared. The committee did not adopt amendments during its meeting and left further adjustments to future budget work.
Council members said they will continue to press for additional compensation if resources can be identified before final adoption by the full council.
