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Tavares council adopts ordinance letting firefighters extend DROP from 60 to 96 months
Summary
At second reading the Tavares City Council unanimously approved Ordinance 2026‑02 to allow eligible firefighters to extend deferred retirement option (DROP) participation from 60 to 96 months; council was told the change affects about 13 active firefighters and an actuary said no formal actuarial impact was required.
The Tavares City Council on Monday adopted Ordinance 2026‑02, amending the city code to allow eligible members of the firefighters’ pension plan to extend deferred retirement option (DROP) participation from 60 months to 96 months.
Miss Oates, presenting the ordinance at second reading, said the change amends section 15‑128 to permit any member who had not reached a 60‑month maximum DROP participation before Feb. 4, 2026, to elect an extended maximum participation period of up to 96 months. She told the council Foster & Foster, the plan actuaries, provided a letter saying no formal actuarial impact is required to support adoption.
"It affects, I believe, there's about 13 active firefighters in the plan," Miss Oates said during the meeting.
Councilman Pastor Sandy Gamble moved to adopt the ordinance; a colleague seconded. A council member asked how many firefighters would be affected and Miss Oates repeated the estimate of about 13 active members. The motion passed unanimously, 5‑0.
Supporters on the council noted the change mirrors recent state practice and previous council action that extended police DROP participation to 96 months, saying the extension can help retain experienced personnel and avoid repeated hiring and training expenses.
The ordinance takes effect as provided in the city code; the city clerk will publish the adopting ordinance and the city will implement the amended pension plan language in coordination with the plan administrator.
