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January 20, 2026
ITEM TITLE
Employee Compensation, Bargaining Agreement and Amended Position Counts: Approve a Memorandum of Understanding with POA; Revised Compensation Schedule; Amended Position Counts ; and Budget Amendments
Report Number: 26-0042
Location: No specific geographic location
Department: Human Resources
G.C. § 84308 Regulations Apply: No
Environmental Notice : The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
Recommended Action
Adopt resolutions: (A) Approving the Fourth Amendment to the M emorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) between the City of Chula Vista and the Chula Vista Police Officer’s Association (“POA”); (B) Approving the revised Fiscal Year 2025-26 Compensation Schedule effective January 23, 2026, as required by the California Code of Regulations, Title 2, Section 570.5 ; (C) Amending the authorized position count in the Police Department: and (D) Amending the fiscal year 2025-26 budget to appropriate funds, accordingly (4/5 Vote Required).
SUMMARY
On May 14, 2024, the City Council approved the Third Amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Chula Vista and the Chula Vista Police Officer’s Association (POA) related to wages and other terms and conditions of employment. After meeting and conf erring in good faith pursuant to the Meyers Milias-Brown Act ("MMBA"), the City and POA desire to enter into a fourth amendment to the MOU, relating to wages.
Staff is also recommending approval of the revised Fiscal Year 2025 -26 Compensation Schedule eff ective January 23, 2026, as required by the California Code of Regulations, Title 2, Section 570.5.
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ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Allocation of the fifteen Peace Officer positions that were funded subsequent to the passage of Measure A to the Measure A Sales Tax Fund was presented at a Special Meeting of the Measure A Citizens’ Oversight Committee on January 8, 2026. The Committee confirmed that this allocation was in compliance with the Measure A Spending Plan.
DISCUSSION
Fourth Amendment to the MOU with the Chula Police Officers’ Association The City of Chula Vista and the and the Chula Vista Police Officer’s Association bargaining group entered into a memorandum of understanding covering the period of May 4, 2021, to June 30, 2024 , which was subsequently extended to June 30, 2027. The City and the POA bargaining group have met in good faith as required by the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act (“MMBA") and desire to amend their MOU regarding Article 2. 01 Wages. The fourth amendment to the POA MOU has been prepared to reflect the above desired amendments and is included as Attachment 1 to this staff report.
In recent years, the City has experienced a significant decline in the number of qualified Peace Officer candidates. In 2025, only five percent (5%) of applicants for Peace Officer positions were deemed qualified.
As a result of this trend, the Police Department currently has 28 sworn vacancies, representing approximately 9.5% of the sworn workforce. To improve the quantity and quality of can didates, staff recommend adding a seventh salary step to the POA-represented classifications, increasing the top step for these positions by five percent (5%).
Adoption of Resolution A will approve the Fourth Amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Chula Vista and the Chula Vista Police Officers’ Association, covering the period of May 4, 2021, through June 30, 2024, and subsequently extended through June 30, 2027.
Compensation Schedule Requirement
California Code of Regulations, Title 2, Section 570.5 requires that, for purposes of determining a retiring employee's pension allowance, the pay rate be limited to the amount listed on a pay schedule that meets certain requirements, including approval by the City’s governing body in accordance with the requirements of applicable public meeting laws. The revised Fiscal Year 2025-26 Compensation Schedule ("Compensation Schedule") was last approved by the City Council at their meeting on December 16, 2025.
Adoption of Resolution B will approve the revised Fiscal Year 2025 -26 Compensation Schedule effective January 23, 2026, reflecting the adjusted salaries for the Chula Vista Police Officer’s Association employee group.
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Authorized Position Count in the Police Department
The Measure A Sales Tax Fund currently funds several sworn positions and programs throughout the department to enhance public safety and operational efficiencies. Staff is recommending allocating fifteen Peace Officer positions funded subsequent to the passage of Measure A on June 5, 2018 to the Measure A Sales Tax Fund, as shown on the table below:
Department Position Title FTE
General Fund
Police Peace Officer -15.00
General Fund Total -15.00
Measure A Sales Tax Fund
Police Peace Officer 15.00
Measure A Sales Tax Fund Total 15.00
All Funds Total 15.00
Adoption of Resolution C will amend the authorized position count in the Police Department as noted above.
Budget Amendments
Approval of Resolution D will amend the fiscal year 2025-26 Measure A Sales Tax Fund budget increasing appropriations from fund balance by $1,342,623 in the Personnel Services category for the Police Department as a result of the position and compensation changes described above.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site-specific and consequently, the real property holdings of the City Council members do not create a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov't Code § 87100, et seq.).
Staff is not independently aware and has not been informed by any City Council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision-maker conflict of interest in this matter.
CURRENT-YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this item results in the following current-year fiscal impacts:
General Fund: No net fiscal impact. Increased compensation costs of $1,304,149 will be fully offset by the transfer of 15.0 FTEs to the Measure A fund.
State Grants Fund: No net fiscal impact. Increased compensation costs of $22,015 will be fully offset by other savings within the fund.
Measure A Sales Tax Fund: Net fiscal impact of $1,342,623, to be paid from fund balance.
This item also amends the fiscal year 2025-26 budget by appropriating $1,342,623 of available fund balance to the Personnel Services Category of the Measure A Sales Tax Fund.
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ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this item results in the following ongoing fiscal impacts:
General Fund: No net fiscal impact. Increased compensation costs will be offset by the transfer of 15.0 FTEs to the Measure A fund.
State Grants Fund: No net fiscal impact. Increased compensation costs will be offset by other savings within the fund.
Measure A Sales Tax Fund: Increased costs totaling $2,849,080 in fiscal year 2026 -27, increasing to $2,989,393 in fiscal year 2027-28.
Ongoing salary costs will be incorporated into subsequent fiscal year budgets.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Fourth Amendment to the MOU between the City of Chula Vista and the Chula Vista Police Officer’s Association Covering the Period of May 4, 2021, to June 30, 2024
2. Revised Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Compensation Schedule Effective January 23, 2026
Contact: Tanya Tomlinson, Director of Human Resources/Risk Management