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Politics & Government

City Council Votes to Raise Contribution of Police Officers to CalPERS

Under the new conditions of employment, Sierra Madre police officers will pay 2 percent more into the retirement system.

The Sierra Madre City Council voted in a special meeting on Wednesday to increase the contribution of Police Officers’ Association (POA) members to the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) and to implement terms of employment. 

Sworn personnel will see their contribution raised from 3 percent to 5 percent and non-sworn personnel will go from 2 percent to 3 percent.  According to Elisa C. Weaver, director of Community & Personnel Services, CalPERS requires that sworn employees contribute 9 percent to the retirement system, and non-sworn contribute 8 percent.  The city picks up the difference between those amounts and the payroll deduction.

Weaver said the city had been working on an agreement with POA since 2008 to put together a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that would set forth wages, hours, and terms of employment.  She said this is the city’s “last, best and final offer,” and that the POA had not submitted a counteroffer.

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The council voted on two resolutions.  The first, 11-105, unilaterally implements the terms and conditions of employment for the Sierra Madre POA and the second, 11-92, amends the percentage paid to CalPERS.

Changes in the terms and conditions include

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  • requiring officers to purchase their own safety equipment in addition to their uniforms, with an increase in the stipend given to officers for purchases
  • increasing the amount of comp time and officer can leave on the books
  • changes in overtime policies
  • the way holiday leave hours are banked
  • adding an administrative appeal procedure

Weaver said the new contract will save the city $100,000 annually.

In public comment, Sierra Madre resident Chris Koerber requested a summary of where the savings is coming from.  Weaver said, “A huge portion is in the CalPERS contribution.”  She said other savings will be in the different way overtime is paid.

No one from POA spoke at the meeting.

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