After months of productive negotiations, the City of Jacksonville and Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 5-30 have reached a three-year tentative collective bargaining agreement. The agreement covers both Police and Corrections Units and includes:
1. Salary increases for Police occur along the following schedule each fiscal year (October 1-September 30):
- FY 2024-2025: 13% increase
- FY 2025-2026: 5% increase
- FY 2026-2027: 5% increase
Salary increases for Corrections occur along the following schedule each fiscal year (October 1-September 30):
- FY 2024-2025: 15% increase
- FY 2025-2026: 8.5% increase
- FY 2026-2027: 7% increase
Most importantly, the City and the FOP have addressed the critical hiring needs of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) by raising starting salaries significantly to better compete in the challenging law enforcement market with the ultimate goal of enabling JSO to hire the best and brightest future officers. Currently, JSO has almost 300 total vacancies and the number is rising.
Starting wages for Police are rising from $52,000 annually to more than $65,000. Corrections is moving from $48,000 to more than $60,000 annually.
2. Retirement benefits for new Police enrollees will move to the Florida Retirement System (FRS) beginning in 2027. Also in 2027, current Police enrollees of the defined contribution plan will have the option to remain there or move to the FRS.
If certain legal obstacles are overcome, the City has also offered the FOP Corrections Unit to enter FRS in 2027. If the FOP and the City are unsuccessful, the current Defined Contribution plan for Corrections will be enhanced.
The City of Jacksonville is continuing its commitment to employee healthcare by moving from a cost percentage plan to a fixed rate plan that allows for accurate budgeting as the workforce continues to grow.
The parties expect to sign all final articles next week, followed by 15 days for tentative agreement membership review. The FOP membership will then have the opportunity to ratify the new agreement. Upon ratification, the collective bargaining agreement will proceed 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.”