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HR flags higher collective‑bargaining and attorney costs as FOP contract approaches negotiation
Summary
The HR director told the council that attorney fees and collective‑bargaining costs will rise in FY26 because the FOP contract comes up for negotiation; the budget proposal increases the line for bargaining from $20,000 to $70,000.
Donna O'Hare, the county human resources director, told council that fiscal 2026 will require increased funding for collective bargaining and associated legal fees because the county must negotiate the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) contract.
O'Hare said the collective‑bargaining line increased from $20,000 this year to $70,000 proposed for FY26. She told the council that attorney fees for bargaining work can be high — “1 phone call, 1 research project can be $7,000‑$8,000 a pop” — and that the current FOP contract is a two‑year agreement that must be addressed again in FY26.
Why it matters: Collective bargaining and legal support are discrete and often unpredictable budget items; the higher allocation reflects anticipated professional services needed for contract negotiations.
Follow up: HR and finance are budgeting the higher amount in anticipation of negotiating the FOP agreement and will report back with costs and process updates as negotiations proceed.
