AGENDA TITLE:
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Adopt a Resolution Approving the Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Lodi and the Lodi Professional Firefighters for the Period January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028 (IS - HR)
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MEETING DATE:
February 18, 2026
PREPARED BY:
Cristina Gonzales, Interim Human Resources Manager
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RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt a Resolution Approving the Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Lodi and the Lodi Professional Firefighters for the Period January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Representatives from the City of Lodi and the Lodi Professional Firefighters (LPF) have been bargaining over a successor Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the past three months and have reached a tentative agreement, subject to Council approval.
The proposed version of the MOU will be blue sheeted as the final Attachment 1 for Council review and approval at the Council meeting. A summary of the key changes that will be incorporated into the MOU are as follows:
• The term of the MOU shall be from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028.
• All employees to receive a 3% one-time off-salary-schedule payment (OSSP). OSSP will be calculated based upon 1-year of employee’s base rate.
• Three percent (3%) cost-of-living increase effective January 4, 2027.
• Three percent (3%) cost-of-living increase effective January 3, 2028.
• City shall pay up to 90% of the medical premium, by enrollment category, for the lowest cost HMO plan available in zip code 95240, effective December 22, 2025.
• Increase Longevity pay - the percentage-based longevity pay incentive would take effect December 22, 2025, and would be paid on a per pay period basis starting the December 22, 2025, at the following rates:
o 10 years - 2.5%
o 20 years - 5%
• Bilingual Pay to increase to $200 per month
• Professional Development courses - increase from $300 up to $1000 per fiscal year per employee.
• Reduce CalPERS employee cost-sharing contribution by three percent (3%) effective July 6, 2026
o Classic employee contribution - 12% total (9% employee share + 3% cost sharing of employer’s share)
o PEPRA employee contribution - 12% or 50% of normal cost
• MOU Clean Up:
o Tuition Reimbursement - Amend eligibility period for tuition reimbursement to allow employees to be eligible for tuition reimbursement after six months of employment.
o Miscellaneous clean up items (PERS language, cafeteria plan, etc.)
• Incorporate the following Side Letter agreements into MOU:
o Paramedic Incentive,
o Holiday Leave
o Department Sanctioned Teams
LPF continues to partner with the City to maintain a high level of service at a reasonable cost to the community. Both the City and LPF recognize the need to offer competitive salary and benefit packages to attract and retain talented employees into the fire service. Both also recognize the need for the City to maintain its financial health. The increases offered in this agreement place the LPF salaries slightly above median of our competitive agencies and it is anticipated will keep them near the midpoint throughout the term of the contract. The agreement strikes a balance by providing enhanced salary to LPF members at a reasonable cost to the City.
Staff recommends that the Council approve the MOU between the City and LPF.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total cost of the term of the agreement is approximately $1,367,000 as shown below.
FUNDING AVAILABLE:
Budget adjustments for these and other compensation increases for City employees in Fiscal Year 2025/26 were included in the mid-year budget proposal.