The Manhattan Beach City Council on Tuesday green-lit salary increases for police lieutenants and captains in an effort to address salary compaction within the force.
The council voted 4-0, with Councilmember Tony D’Errico absent, to give all employees in the Manhattan Beach Police Management Association a 3 percent base salary increase effective the first full pay period. In exchange, employees must pay an additional 3 percent in pension costs. The city pays 95 percent of their health premium.
The contract, which provides raises in exchange for higher employee contributions in pension costs and health care, is similar to what the city drew up earlier this year with its three bargaining groups, police, firefighters and Teamster Local 911, which includes public works and City Hall employees.
Under the resolution, if a lieutenant is promoted to captain, he or she will be paid at least 5 percent higher than the highest paid lieutenant at the time. This guarantees at least a 5 percent salary increase, but that amount should not exceed the top of the captain’s salary range.
MBPD Chief Eve Irvine spoke to council Tuesday about the challenges of compaction – when the salary differences between ranks are inconsistent – in the paramilitary environment of a police force. In one case, a motor sergeant is making more than his supervisor, a lieutenant.
According to Finance Director Bruce Moe, the new contract will cost the city approximately $373,000 during its two-year duration.
“It is budgeted, it is the right thing to do,” Mayor Pro Tem Amy Howorth said.
The Memorandum of Understanding is effective from Nov. 30, 2013 to Dec. 31, 2015.
