West Miami ratifies three-year police contract, raises starting pay to $60,000

The City Commission of the City of West Miami on Feb. 12 ratified a contract with the South Florida Police Benevolent Association, authorizing a three-year agreement that runs from Oct. 1, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2028. The vote was 5-0.

The contract, brought forward by city administration and supported by the union, raises the department's starting salary from $48,000 to $60,000, adds night and hazardous differential pay and increases off-duty rates. The agreement also reduces the maximum sick-leave payout from 480 hours to 400 and establishes structured step increases, including merit-based steps reduced to 4% in years two and three, according to the city manager's summary.

City Manager (unnamed) told the commission the adjustments were intended to improve recruitment and retention after the city's historically low starting pay caused staff turnover. Stedman Saul, president of South Florida PBA Local 10680, thanked the commission and union negotiators and urged approval. "You put public safety front and center," Saul said at the meeting.

Commissioners and the mayor praised the negotiation speed and the perceived morale benefits. Vice Mayor Milian Orvis moved the item; a second was recorded and the roll call showed unanimous support. The administration said a signing ceremony will be scheduled at a later date.

The commission authorized the city manager to execute the contract and allocate funding to meet the agreement's conditions for the three fiscal years covered by the contract. No specific budget line-item numbers were provided at the meeting; the manager said funding will be allocated to meet the contract conditions.

The agreement was presented as an administrative-sponsored item and the packet listed the contract period and an effective-date provision. The commission did not amend the contract on the floor.