STAFF REPORT
City of Lancaster
CC 15
6/23/2026
TN
Date:June 23, 2026
To: Mayor Parris and City Council Members
From:Trolis Niebla, City Manager
George N. Harris II, Senior Director/Treasurer – Administrative Services Subject:Approval of Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Lancaster and the Lancaster Police Officers Association
Recommendations:
1. Adopt Resolution No. ____ approving the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Lancaster and the Lancaster Police Officers Association for the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2030.
2. Authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute the Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the City, including all necessary documents, amendments, and provisions, subject the City Attorney approval.
G.C. Section 84308: No
Fiscal Impact:
The proposed Memorandum of Understanding includes salary adjustments, POST incentive compensation, specialty assignment pay, and modifications to overtime calculations under the Fair Labor Standards Act. These provisions will result in increased personnel costs over the term of the agreement.
The estimated fiscal impact of the agreement will be incorporated into future annual operating budgets and long-range financial planning. Funding for these costs will be included through the City's normal budget development process.
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Background:
The City of Lancaster and the Lancaster Police Officers Association (LPOA) have successfully concluded negotiations regarding a successor Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) covering employees represented by the LPOA bargaining unit. The proposed MOU establishes wages, hours, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment for sworn full-time employees represented by the Association for the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2030.
Representatives of the City and the Association engaged in good-faith negotiations pursuant to the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act and reached a tentative agreement on a four-year MOU. The proposed agreement maintains existing employment protections while incorporating compensation adjustments, enhanced incentive pay opportunities, and operational modifications intended to support recruitment, retention, employee recognition, and effective Police Department operations.
The proposed agreement includes the following key provisions:
• Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA):
2.0% effective July 1, 2026
2.0% effective July 1, 2027
4.0% effective July 1, 2028
4.0% effective July 1, 2029
• POST Certificate Incentive Pay:
Intermediate POST Certificate – 5%
Advanced POST Certificate – 5%
Supervisory POST Certificate – 7.5%
• Specialty Assignment Compensation:
Motor Officer Assignment – 5%
Investigator Assignment – 2.5%
Field Training Officer Assignment – 5% while actively assigned a trainee • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Section 7(k):
Transition from a twenty-eight (28) day work period to a seven (7) day work period for overtime calculation purposes.
The proposed agreement reflects the City's commitment to maintaining competitive compensation and incentive programs for sworn personnel while supporting the City's ability to recruit and retain highly qualified public safety employees.
The tentative agreement has been reviewed by staff and legal counsel and is recommended for approval.
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Attachments:
Resolution No. ____; Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Lancaster and Lancaster Police Officers Association (July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2030) Lancaster Police Officers Association – Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) 7.1.2026 through 6.30.2030