Fort Pierce approves police sergeant/lieutenant wage reopener with retroactive pay

The Fort Pierce City Commission on Jan. 5 approved an economic wage reopener with the Coastal Florida Police Benevolent Association covering sergeants and lieutenants for the Oct. 1, 2025–Sept. 30, 2027 contract period. Jared Sorensen, the city's HR manager, told the commission the negotiated agreement includes both step advancement and an increase in step amounts; he said adjustments will be retroactive to Oct. 1 and that affected employees should see changes on the Jan. 23 pay date.

"When we negotiated a contract, we had a wage opener for each year of the contract...this is the economic portion that was opened," Sorensen said, explaining that the city and union negotiated a structure to deliver pay increases while keeping the city's finances secure. Sorensen added that some employees could see increases as high as about 14 percent depending on where they are in the step program.

Commissioners asked for clarity about timing and scope during the discussion. The commission approved the agreement by unanimous roll call and directed HR and payroll to process retroactive adjustments. Action items recorded by staff include processing retroactive payroll for the Jan. 23 pay date and confirming final disbursement amounts.

The item was presented as a negotiated settlement reached at the bargaining table; staff said non-economic items will be addressed separately once the city's new police chief is on board. The commission is scheduled to consider a separate police chief contract at a Jan. 12 meeting; Jared Sorensen said the incoming chief is tentatively scheduled to start Feb. 1 pending final review.

Next steps: HR and Finance will process retroactive payroll adjustments and report back on disbursement confirmation.