Arbitrator selects city offers in binding awards for Henderson police unions; city projects $3.16 million FY25–26 impact

City human-resources staff briefed the Henderson City Council on binding arbitration awards for two police bargaining units on March 17, with the arbitrator selecting the city’s final offers in each case.

Javier Mendez, the city’s director of human resources, summarized the award for the Henderson Police Officers Association (HPOA): a one‑year contract effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026 (retroactive), a 3.5% wage increase on top of existing step increases, a retention bonus of $2,300 for employees with 15 years of service and an additional $700 for 20‑year employees (totaling $3,000), and a reduction in holiday pay from triple time to two-and-a-half times. “The arbitrator selected the city's final offer citing financial conditions of the city, internal and external comparability and the bargaining history of the parties,” Mendez said. He reported the FY25–26 financial impact of the HPOA award as $2,401,250.

Mendez also summarized the Henderson Police Supervisors Association (HPSA) award, which mirrors many HPOA provisions: a one‑year term, a 3.5% base wage increase on top of step increases, the same retention bonus structure and reductions to holiday and certain overtime pay provisions. Mendez reported the FY25–26 impact for HPSA as $760,736.

Councilmembers asked clarifying questions about retroactivity and whether officers might have to repay amounts due to adjustments in holiday pay. Mendez said the arbitrator’s award is binding on the city and unions and that the net effect for individual officers would depend on how wage increases, bonuses and the holiday-pay reduction net out. The staff presentation was informational and required no council action.

The summaries referenced Nevada Revised Statutes procedures for arbitration (NRS 288.215) and stressed the awards’ binding nature.