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Council adds two sworn officers for seasonal marine safety unit as CalPERS limits retiree rehiring
Summary
Faced with stricter CalPERS limits on rehiring retired annuitants who staffed its boat patrol, the council approved two new sworn positions (raising sworn officers from 31 to 33) to maintain a year‑to‑year marine safety presence; the chief said cost offsets could include boating grants, vessel property tax, Measure S or a seasonal marine safety fee.
The City Council approved an amendment to the FY25/26 allocation to add two sworn police officer positions so the police department can staff a marine safety unit full‑season as reliance on retired annuitants becomes untenable under CalPERS rules.
Chief Robertson explained the city historically staffed its boat patrol with CalPERS retired annuitants. CalPERS recently signaled increasing enforcement of post‑retirement work rules and would allow current annuitants to work the upcoming boating season but may prohibit them in future seasons unless staffing and recruitment change. The chief emphasized the operational complexity and safety risks of leaving Tahoe without trained boat patrol officers and said the department needs officers who commit multi‑season to reach the skill level needed for open‑water rescue and enforcement.
The council approved adding two FTE sworn officers (sworn officer FTEs from 31 to 33). Staff estimated an annual fully burdened cost of approximately $48,940 for the two positions; the FY25/26 partial‑year request was proportionally smaller. Potential funding sources discussed included boating and waterways grant funds, vessel property tax revenue, Measure S funds, Prop 172, and a possible seasonal marine safety fee on launches or rentals.
Council asked staff to return with specific funding options and encouraged outreach to partners (including the U.S. Coast Guard and regional partners) about seasonal coverage and coordinated rescue resources.
