Council debates police retirement options after state classification limits choices

Council members discussed retirement and benefits options for a recently hired police officer after staff reported that state guidance limits local flexibility.

"I called up to, Indiana Public Retirement System and they, they told me...since we were sitting or I remember before she told me that you can't have 2 funds established," the council was told by the presenter, who said Woodburn is classified as a city and therefore required to offer the 1977 ('77') fund. The presenter and councilors said that the city could not establish a separate pension fund for police and that the 457 plan remains the primary alternative.

Speakers recited contribution percentages cited in the budget review: a 23.3% city contribution to the 77 fund for a full‑time officer, about 11% employee portion on certain plans, and discussion of a 14.2% figure tied to a 457 approach intended to mirror a hybrid plan. Council members noted that raising contribution levels to match those figures would have outsized budget impacts and that any change affecting existing employees would require council approval and adjustments in the budget.

Members concluded that resolving the benefit differences would require legal and budgetary analysis and directed staff to investigate options; no policy change was made at the meeting.