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Council approves DROP extension for police and fire chiefs after debate over fairness and study commitment
Summary
After extended debate and public testimony, the City Council approved an ordinance extending DROP benefits for the police and fire chiefs. Council rejected a motion to lay the ordinance over, then approved it 4‑3; council members secured a commitment from the administration to fund an actuarial study for rank‑and‑file units.
The Omaha City Council approved an ordinance Monday to extend DROP‑style retirement benefits to the police and fire chiefs, following public testimony and council debate about fairness to rank‑and‑file personnel. The ordinance passed on a 4‑3 recorded vote.
The item prompted lengthy testimony from union leaders and council members. Trevor Talley, president of the Omaha Professional Firefighters, told the council he raised the fairness question on behalf of rank‑and‑file members and said any extension to additional employees should be negotiated within the bargaining process. "If it's a benefit that benefits the city and employees, I think that should be explored," Talley said, but he also said that for Local 385 the change "would have to be an all or none" decision handled through collective bargaining.
Councilmembers debated whether to delay action to allow an actuarial analysis and time for bargaining units to discuss the proposal. Councilmember Begley moved to lay the item over 60 days so the Omaha Police Officers Association and Local 385 could conduct internal discussions; that motion failed 3‑4. Councilmember Melton and others argued the chiefs’ retention is a high priority and that the council could approve the chiefs’ benefit now while the administration funds and completes an actuarial study for the rank‑and‑file bargaining units.
Deputy City Attorney Bernard Inabosch advised that extending the benefit to additional bargaining units would effectively amend their collective‑bargaining agreements and could require bargaining discussions. During debate the administration committed to fund and request an actuary study for the OPOA and Local 385, with an expected completion timeframe of roughly three to four months. The administration also committed to share the actuarial results with bargaining‑unit leadership.
Following the failed layover motion, the council voted 4‑3 to adopt the ordinance for police and fire chiefs. Proponents said the change helps retain experienced leadership; opponents and union representatives emphasized fairness and the need for collective bargaining and membership input before expanding the benefit more broadly.
