Summary
To: Town Commission
From: Gay Lancaster, Town Manager
Date: 3/17/2026
______________________________________________________________________
Subject:
Title
Resolution 2026-03 Agreement with Sun Coast Police Benevolent Association, Inc. effective through September 30, 2028.
Summary:
Once every three years the Town negotiates a new three-year Collective Bargaining Agreement for the Belleair Police Department.
January 4, 2026, Public Employees Relations Committee (PERC) presented VERFICATION OF ELECTION RESULTS, CERTIFICATION OF EXCLUSIVE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING REPRESENTATIVE AND REVOCATION OF CERTIFICATION. This action transferred representation from Pinellas Lodge No. 43, Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) to Sun Coast Police Benevolent Association, Inc. (PBA)
The following items were discussed during negotiations and highlight the primary updates to the prior agreement:
* General Wage Increase: During fiscal year one of this agreement, all Officers and Sergeants will receive a 10% increase to their base rate of pay, effective retroactively to October 1, 2025.
* Increase in pay ranges: The agreement increases the established pay ranges for both Police Officers and Sergeants, raising the minimum and maximum rates based on Pay Plan re-classification.
* Merit Wage Increase: The annual merit increase has been raised from 3.0% to 3.5%, effective retroactively to October 1, 2025. For members who have already received a merit increase between October 1, 2025, and ratification of this agreement, they will be eligible for an additional 0.50% increase.
* Cost of Living Adjustment: The agreement eliminates the prior ceiling on the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) while preserving the 1.5% minimum annual COLA guarantee; however, if the Town provides general employees with a higher percentage, all bargaining unit members will now receive that same increase. This change is significant because it ensures bargaining unit members will not fall behind other Town employee...
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