Duval Times

The City of Jacksonville and the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 5-30 have reached a tentative collective bargaining agreement, which includes significant salary increases and changes to retirement benefits for police and corrections officers.

Salary increases for police will follow this schedule: a 13% increase in fiscal year (FY) 2024-2025, followed by 5% increases in both FY 2025-2026 and FY 2026-2027. Corrections officers will see a 15% increase in FY 2024-2025, an 8.5% increase in FY 2025-2026, and a 7% increase in FY 2026-2027.

The agreement addresses critical hiring needs at the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO), where there are currently almost 300 vacancies. Starting salaries for police will rise from $52,000 to more than $65,000 annually, while starting salaries for corrections officers will increase from $48,000 to more than $60,000 annually.

Retirement benefits for new police enrollees will transition to the Florida Retirement System (FRS) beginning in 2027. Current police enrollees in the defined contribution plan will have the option to switch to FRS or remain with their current plan. If legal obstacles are overcome, corrections officers may also join FRS in 2027; otherwise, their defined contribution plan will be enhanced.

The City is also moving from a cost percentage healthcare plan to a fixed rate plan to allow for accurate budgeting as the workforce grows.

Final articles of the agreement are expected to be signed next week. This will be followed by a tentative agreement membership review period of 15 days. The FOP membership will then vote on ratification before the agreement proceeds to the Jacksonville City Council for final approval.

“I’m grateful we reached this historic agreement with the men and women who put their lives on the line every day to keep all our citizens safe,” said Mayor Donna Deegan. “The agreement ensures that benefits match the commitment of our brave police and corrections officers while supporting the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office in its goal to attract the best and brightest to the force.”