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Council extends police DROP eligibility in line with bargaining agreement and state change
Summary
Council approved a second-reading ordinance extending the Police Deferred Retirement Option Program from five to eight years as part of a collective bargaining agreement; staff said actuarial analysis shows no increased city contribution and that the change helps retain officers.
The New Port Richey City Council on Feb. 4 approved ordinance 2025-2317 on second reading to conform the city's police pension DROP provisions to a collective bargaining agreement and to recent state changes extending DROP from five to eight years.
Staff said the amendment was negotiated with the Police Benevolent Association and covers the contract period from Oct. 1, 2024, through Sept. 30, 2027. "The state legislature did change the DROP program from five to eight years," a staff presenter said, and explained that extending DROP can help retain experienced officers approaching retirement. An actuarial analysis presented to council indicated the city's contribution to the retirement system would not increase despite participants deferring pension payments while remaining on payroll.
Council members framed the measure as honoring the bargaining process and a step to retain public-safety personnel. The measure passed by voice vote after no public comment was offered.
Staff noted the ordinance amends chapter 17 of the city's code (pensions and retirement) and includes standard repealer and effective-date language.
