Budget committee delays final action on FOP Lodge 7 agreement after questions about costs and oversight

City administration presented the wage and benefits elements of a tentative agreement with Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 7 and corresponding cost‑of‑living adjustments for non‑bargaining city employees, then the Budget & Finance Committee voted to delay final action for one week so members can review the agreement and budget projections.

Steve Fricker, presenting for the administration, summarized financial and non‑financial terms of the FOP package. "There will be a 5% wage increase for 2025. That will be retroactive back to the beginning of the year, and then 4 and a half percent wage increases for 2026 and 2027," Fricker said. He also said the agreement includes a $4,000 one‑time payment for each bargaining unit member and estimated the total cost to the city for the FOP agreement at about $19,200,000 over three years.

Fricker described health premium changes that hold 2025 employee monthly contributions at 2024 levels (single $70; family $180), rising in 2026 to $90 single / $240 family and in 2027 to $100 single / $260 family. "Over the course of the agreement, a single employee will pay an additional $600 and a, an employee getting family coverage will pay an additional $1,680," Fricker said.

On non‑bargaining compensation, Fricker said the ordinance would provide a 3% increase for 2025 (retroactive) and a 2.25% increase for 2026. Appointed and elected officials and certain appointed staff would not receive the 1% base‑building payment; instead, affected classified non‑bargaining employees would receive a one‑time lump‑sum payment equal to 1% of their 2025 annual rate, paid as a lump sum rather than added to base pay.

Council members pressed for more information and time. Councilwoman Linda Amobian raised accountability and asked whether the contract acknowledged the civilian oversight board; city representatives said the oversight board is not referenced in this agreement. "I don't believe there's any language in the contract related to the board," a city representative said. City staff flagged additions they said were gained in negotiations, including added capacity in the Office of Professional Standards and Accountability, additional civilian positions in the body‑worn camera unit and a statutory management‑rights clause aligned with state language.

Council members repeatedly requested more time to review the 89‑page agreement and supporting budget projections before a final vote. Councilman Fusco moved to give the council one week's time to review the materials; the motion was seconded and then approved on roll call: Lombardo — Nay; Amobian — Aye; Fusco — Aye; Boyes — Aye (motion passes 3–1). Several members noted the administration—s concern about payroll logistics and the late calendar timing, but the committee voted to delay to ensure thorough review.

Key figures stated in committee: the police agreement cost to the city is about $19.2 million over three years; the non‑bargaining cost estimated at about $6.1 million (two‑year assumption); the city reported roughly 506 non‑bargaining employees. The administration said that if non‑bargaining employees had received the same wage increases as FOP, it would add roughly $7.2 million over three years.

The committee did not take final action on the ordinance; the item was postponed for one week for additional review and information.