Title
An Ordinance Of The City Of Hollywood, Florida, Amending Chapter 33 Of The Code Of Ordinances Titled “Firefighter’s Pension And Retirement” Incorporating Various Changes To The Chapter Contained In The Tentatively Agreed To Collective Bargaining Agreement With The Hollywood Professional Fire Fighters, Local #1375, Including Changes To The Benefit Accrual Rate For Firefighters Who Separate From Service, Enter The Deferred Retirement Option Plan, Or Enter The Reformed Planned Retirement Benefit To 3.4% Of Average Final Compensation For Each Year Of Credited Service Earned On And After July 7, 2026, For Both Tier 1 And Tier 2 Members; Changes To The Normal Retirement Date To The Earlier Of The First Day Of The Month Following The Attainment Of Age 50 And The Completion Of Ten Years Of Credited Service Or Upon The Completion Of 21 Years Of Credited Service, Regardless Of Age; And Changes To The Member Contribution Rate To 9.85% For Tier 1 Members And 11.35% For Tier 2 Members; Providing For Conflict, Codification, And An Effective Date.
Strategic Plan Focus
Financial Management & Administration
Body
Staff Recommends: Approval of the attached Ordinance.
Explanation:
The City and the Hollywood Professional Fire Fighters, Local #1375 have tentatively agreed to a Collective Bargaining Agreement which provides various contractual changes, including proposed changes to pension and retirement benefits. Section 33.034 of the City’s Code of Ordinances regulates the City’s firefighters’ pension and retirement. Furthermore, Section 33.063 governs the amendment process to incorporate these changes.
The proposed pension and retirement benefit changes include:
• Increase the benefit accrual rate for firefighters who separate from service, enter the deferred retirement option plan, or enter the referred planned retirement benefit to 3.40% of average final compensation for each year of credited service earned on and after July 7, 2026 for both Tier 1 and Tier 2 members (from 3.3% for Tier 1 members and 3.2% for Tier 2 members)
• Setting the normal retirement date to the earlier of the first day of the month following the attainment of age 50 and the completion of ten years of credited service or upon the completion of 21 years (reduced from 23 years) of credited service regardless of age
• Increase the member contribution rate to 9.85% (from 8%) for Tier 1 members and to 11.35% (from 9.5%) for Tier 2 members
The Collective Bargaining Agreement will be presented to the City Commission, along with second reading of this Ordinance, on July 7, 2026, for final approval.
Fiscal Impact:
These changes to the Ordinance will be funded by the increases to employee contributions to the Fire Pension Plan.
Recommended for inclusion on the agenda by:
Tammie L. Hechler, Director of Human Resources
Chris O’Brien, Director of Public Safety
Adam S. Reichbach, Deputy City Manager