Boise council approves collective labor agreement with police union, includes 3% ratification bonus

Boise — The Boise City Council approved a collective labor agreement (CLA) with the International Brotherhood of Police Officers Local 486 on Monday, including a one-time 3% ratification bonus tied to back pay (capped at $1,200,000) and ongoing salary adjustments reflected in the city’s budget projections.

Council President Nash moved the resolution, proposing two contract changes staff had negotiated and asking the council to approve the CLA subject to reinserting an evergreen clause and paying a 3% ratification bonus to officers. “This is our best effort as a council, to bring this to a conclusion,” Nash said, framing the payment as an olive branch to finalize long-running negotiations.

Councilmembers praised officers’ service and acknowledged a difficult negotiation process. Multiple members said they supported back pay for officers and noted that the agreement is a budget driver the council and administration had been working to resolve. One councilmember said the negotiated package equated to roughly a 12% increase over four years and noted the preference to deliver back pay promptly.

The resolution (listed as resolution 2825 in meeting discussion) was adopted by roll call. The council recorded a unanimous vote in favor during the session; the measure will take effect consistent with the contract’s terms and the city’s payroll processing schedule.

City staff said the 3% ratification bonus would be payable as a one-time payment upon ratification and would be processed on the payroll cycle following the agreement’s ratification. The city also noted that the FY 2026 budget under consideration had already assumed ongoing salary increases consistent with the contract’s provisions, ensuring staffing and pay changes were reflected in the financial plan even if ratification occurred after the budget action.

Councilmembers and city staff repeatedly described appreciation for police officers and cited recruitment and retention gains as motives for the agreement. Several members said the negotiation process had taken longer than desirable and urged improved timelines and mediation readiness for future contract cycles.

Action details: Resolution approving the collective labor agreement between the city and IBPO Local 486 — approved (vote tally: yes: 5; no: 0; abstain: 0).