Police collective bargaining agreement approval on council agenda
The Cape Coral City Council will vote on the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #33 bargaining agreement for officers, police sergeants and lieutenants during its Wednesday meeting.
The collective bargaining agreement between the city and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #33, which represents the police officers and police sergeants bargaining unit, is up for approval at Wednesday’s meeting. The three-year agreement has a total dollar amount of $7,099,379, 16% for the first year; $3,476,693, 4% for the second year; and $3,441,236, 4% for the third year.
According to article 12, “effective the first full pay period of October 2025, the base wage rates of the bargaining unit employees covered by this agreement” is based on a merit range progression plan that ranges from a level one for officers from $35.64, a jump from $27.94 to level 10 at $57.89, a jump from $43.35 and for sergeants from a level one of $58.26, a jump from $41.29 to a level five of $65.19, a jump from $50,91.
For the full pay period of October 2026, that rate increases from a level one for officers at $37.07, a jump from $28.50 to a level 10 of $60.21, a jump from $44.23, and for sergeants a level one of $60.59, from $42.53 to a level five of $67.80, from $52.43.
For the first full pay period of October 2027, the rate increases from $38.55, from $28.93 for a level one officer to $62.62, from $44.91 for a level 10 officer. For sergeants at a level one the rate is $63.01, from $43.59 to a level five of $70.51, from $53.74.
The council will also vote on the bargaining agreement between the city and Fraternal Order of the Police Lodge #33 for the lieutenants bargaining unit. The three-year agreement has a total agreement amount of $7,099.379, base wage rates increase by 16% for the first year, $3,476,693, 4% for the second year and $3,441,236, 4% for the third year.
The first full pay period of October 2025 for a level one sergeant is $68.75, an increase from $48.01 to a level five of $79.46, an increase from $60.61. For 2027, that amount goes from $48.73 to $71.50 for level one to $82.64 from $61.52 to a level five. For 2028, the amount goes to $74.36 from $49.46 for a level one to $85.95 from $62.44 for a level five.
Another part of the contract deals with accepting compensatory time off for overtime worked. Employees are allowed to “accrue up to a maximum of 250 hours of compensatory time.” They may carry over a maximum of 50 hours into the new fiscal year. “As of Sept. 30 of each year, an employee shall be paid for all compensatory time in excess of 50 hours at the employees hourly rate.”
In addition, employees assigned as detectives, school resource officers, field training officers, motorcycle unit, special response team and K-9 officers will receive an assigned pay of $75, an increase from $60 biweekly to their regular rate of pay.
According to a memo from FOP Lodge 33 President Rob Goff, the officers and sergeants had 215 of 272 members cast ballots with a unanimous vote of yes to approve the contract, while the lieutenants had all 10 members cast a ballot for a unanimous yes.
Other items up for discussion:
The council will also vote on the long-term and short-term residential rental property registration fees.
The registration fee for long-term residential rental property is $35, and $350 for short-term.
A long-term residential rental property is one that is leased or rented for a consecutive period that is greater than six months. The registration is to be submitted with the City Clerk’s Department and include such information as contact information for the legal name of the owner, direct mailing address, email address and telephone number. Any changes to the registration information must be done within 30 days.
There is a penalty if the property is rented as a short-term residential rental property with a $1,000 civil penalty for the first offense. The second offense, or any subsequent violation the proceeding 36 months shall receive a civil penalty of $2,000.
The failure to renew the registration within 30 days of the anniversary of the registration shall have a $250 civil penalty and the second penalty of $500. The short-term residential penalty is $500 and the second and any subsequent penalty is $1,000.
The meeting will be held at 4 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 17, in City Council chambers, 1015 Cultural Park Blvd. The meeting is open to the public.
To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY, please email news@breezenewspapers.com