201 S. Anaheim Blvd.
Suite #501
Anaheim, CA 92805
Tel: (714) 765-5111
www.anaheim.net
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARMENT
DATE: AUGUST 26, 2025
FROM: HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: RESOLUTIONS APPROVING LETTERS OF UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN THE CITY OF ANAHEIM AND THE ANAHEIM
MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION TO PROVIDE A
SEVEN PERCENT (7%) BASE PAY INCREASE TO
DISPATCHER CLASSIFICATIONS
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 16
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: NO
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council consider the following actions:
1) By Resolution, approve a Letter of Understanding (“LOU”) between the City of Anaheim (“City”) and the Anaheim Municipal Employees Association (“AMEA”), Clerical Employees providing a seven percent (7%) base pay increase to employees in full-time Dispatcher classifications as a market adjustment to support recruitment and retention, effective the first full pay period following City Council approval.
2) By Resolution, approve a LOU between the City and the AMEA, Part-Time Unit providing a seven percent (7%) base pay increase to employees in part-time Dispatcher classifications as a market adjustment to support recruitment and retention, effective the first full pay period following City Council approval. 3) By Motion, amend the Police Department’s Fiscal Year 2025/26 General Fund budget by $354,267 and the Fire Department’s Fiscal Year 2025/26 General Fund budget by $88,309, or approximately 40% of the estimated impact for Anaheim’s share of the Metro Cities Joint Powers Authority (JPA) expenditures.
DISCUSSION:
Dispatchers in the Police Department and Fire and Rescue Department serve a critical role in the daily operations of public safety by receiving calls for emergency assistance, coordinating and dispatching sworn personnel and equipment, and monitoring ongoing activity to support sworn staff while in the field with additional resources. The importance of dispatchers to our community is critical as they are the first point of contact and serve as a vital link between the community and first responders.
Resolutions approving Letters of Understanding between the City of Anaheim and the Anaheim Municipal Employees Association to provide a Seven Percent (7%) Base Pay Increase to Dispatcher Classifications August 26, 2025
As is the case throughout the industry, the City is experiencing the same challenges as other agencies in recruitment and retention of experienced dispatchers. To address retention in the Police Department, the City has already taken steps to provide greater lateral movement by reclassifying six current Dispatcher II positions to Senior Dispatchers and converting three (3) part-time positions in the police communications unit to full-time positions (two Dispatcher II’s and one Dispatcher Supervisor). This action allowed for internal promotional opportunities within the department as well as retention within the senior levels. While the senior levels are filled, with no vacancies, the department continues to be faced with recruitment and retention issues and are competing with other municipalities in this critical field.
The City and AMEA are currently engaged in negotiations for a successor MOU. During these negotiations, the parties recognize the immediate need to address market competitiveness. The Dispatcher classifications have experienced recruitment challenges and retention pressures due to labor market conditions and compensation levels in comparable agencies. As a result, the City’s labor negotiator has worked under City Council authority to meet and confer with AMEA to address this single, discrete issue, without prejudice on any other outstanding bargaining matters, and without waiving the right to continue negotiating the full range of terms and conditions of employment.
The City and AMEA reached a Tentative Agreement on August 7, 2025 to provide a seven percent (7%) base pay increase to employees in full-time and part-time Dispatcher classifications (65 employees). On August 14, 2025, the City and the AMEA formalized this agreement in Letters of Understanding for the AMEA Clerical Employees and Part- Time Unit, respectively.
If approved, the City shall increase the base salary for the benchmark classifications of Police Dispatcher II and Part-Time Police Dispatcher II by seven percent (7%). The following full-time and part-time classifications shall receive corresponding adjustments to preserve the internal salary relationship within the Dispatcher classification series. Fire Communications Shift Supervisor
Fire Dispatcher I
Fire Dispatcher II
Police Communications Operator
Police Communications Supervisor
Police Dispatcher I
Senior Fire Dispatcher
Senior Police Dispatcher
Part-Time Fire Dispatcher I
Part-Time Fire Dispatcher II
Part-Time Police Communications Operator
Part-Time Police Communications Supervisor
Part-Time Police Dispatcher I
Part-Time Senior Police Dispatcher
Resolutions approving Letters of Understanding between the City of Anaheim and the Anaheim Municipal Employees Association to provide a Seven Percent (7%) Base Pay Increase to Dispatcher Classifications August 26, 2025
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
The estimated annual cost of providing a seven percent (7%) base pay increase to the affected Dispatcher classifications is $575,437 in Fiscal Year 2025/26. This will increase the Police Department’s General fund budget by $354,267 and the Fire & Rescue Department’s Metro Cities JPA budget by $221,170, approximately 40% of which ($88,309) would impact the General Fund through Anaheim’s contribution to the JPA. Amendment to the Fire & Rescue Metro Cities Fund budget in the full amount of $221,170 will be subject to approval by the JPA board.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda N. Andal
Human Resources Director
Attachments:
1. Resolution – AMEA – Clerical Employees
2. Letter of Understanding, Clerical Unit
3. Resolution – AMEA – Part-Time Unit
4. Letter of Understanding, Part-Time Unit