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Board adopts county's first FOP collective bargaining agreement, sets $70,000 starting deputy salary
Summary
The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners voted to adopt the county's first collective bargaining agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police for fiscal year 2027, raising the starting deputy salary to $70,000 and preserving certain retirement and survivor benefits; the contract will be executed by the board president and includes continued negotiations on outstanding items in FY28.
The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners voted on July 7 to adopt a collective bargaining agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police that covers deputy sheriffs and correctional deputies for fiscal year 2027.
County Administrator Linda Turner told the board the agreement was negotiated after Maryland Senate Bill 767 took effect in October, which granted those employees the right to organize and bargain. Turner said salary adjustments in the agreement were incorporated into the FY27 budget and that staff retained outside counsel and consultants to support negotiations and legal compliance.
Sheriff (as identified in the meeting transcript) said the contract is "our 1st contract, which is huge" and noted it places the county in alignment with neighboring jurisdictions by setting a $70,000 starting salary for a newly hired deputy. The sheriff also said the agreement addresses survivor insurance and retirement protections for deputies injured or killed in the line of duty.
The board approved a motion to "adopt and approve and authorize the president to execute all documents necessary for its implementation." The vote was recorded in the meeting transcript as a voice vote with the chair announcing "Aye" and "Motion carries." The transcript does not include a roll-call tally or named yes/no votes.
The agreement does not close all outstanding items, the sheriff and county staff said: retirement and certain compensation-related matters will continue to be negotiated during the contract term and in preparation for FY28 discussions. Staff listed members of the negotiating team including HR, finance and legal staff who supported the process.
A ceremonial signing was planned immediately after the meeting.
What happens next: The agreement takes effect per its terms, with the FY27 salary adjustments reflected in the county budget. Staff and the sheriff indicated they will resume follow-up negotiations in the coming year on remaining items such as retirement system adjustments and other benefit changes.
