DATE: March 26, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Human Resources Department
TITLE: RESOLUTION APPROVING AND IMPLEMENTING THE MEMORADUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF OCEANSIDE AND THE OCEANSIDE FIRE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (OFMA)
RECOMMENDATION
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Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution approving and implementing the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Oceanside and the Oceanside Fire Management Association (OFMA) effective April 1, 2025, through December 31, 2027.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
The OFMA represents a total of 8 individuals actively employed in the classifications of Lifeguard Captain, Battalion Chief and Deputy Fire Chief. The current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and the OFMA is set to expire on March 31, 2025. As such, the City’s negotiating team and OFMA representatives met and conferred on a successor contract beginning in January 2025. Over the course of the last few months, the parties met and conferred in good faith and reach a tentative agreement on the terms and conditions of a successor MOU on March 13, 2025. The OFMA membership held a ratification vote and elected by a majority vote to approve the revised terms and conditions of the successor agreement.
The proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) would be effective April 1, 2025 through December 31, 2027, and includes compensation and contract language modifications as directed by the City Council.
The key economic issues in the agreement include:
1. Article III (Compensation), (Salary):
1. Effective the first full pay period in July 2025, a 4% increase to each step of the salary schedules for all classifications represented by the OFMA.
2. Effective the first full pay period in July 2026, a 4% increase to each step of the salary schedules for all classifications represented by the OFMA.
3. Effective the first full pay period in July 2027, a 3% increase to each step of the salary schedules for all classifications represented by the OFMA.
2. Article III (Compensation), Section D (Health Benefits):
Effective July 2025, the City’s total contribution towards Health Insurance (i.e., medical, dental & vision) shall be established as follows:
|
Cap (Based on Medical Selection) |
EE Only |
EE+1 |
EE+ Family |
|
Kaiser Plans |
875 |
1,500 |
1,925 |
|
Blue Shield Plans |
1,000 |
1,725 |
2,200 |
Effective January 2026, the City’s total contribution towards Health Insurance (i.e., medical, dental & vision) shall be established as follows:
|
Cap (Based on Medical Selection) |
EE Only |
EE+1 |
EE+ Family |
|
Kaiser Plans |
919 |
1,575 |
2,021 |
|
Blue Shield Plans |
1,050 |
1,811 |
2,310 |
3. Article III (Compensation), Section A.2 (Certification Pay):
Incorporate the clarifying language changes reflected in the April 12, 2023 Side Letter.
4. Article III (Compensation), Section H (Uniform Allowance):
Effective August 2025, the uniform allowance shall be increased from $775 to $1,000.
5. Article III (Compensation) - Retiree Medical Trust Fund
Effective the first full pay period in April 2025, the City’s bi-weekly contribution shall be increased from $75 to $100.
FISCAL IMPACT
Ongoing Costs:
Fiscal Year 2024-25 $ 1,300
Fiscal Year 2025-26 157,127
Fiscal Year 2026-27 117,280
Fiscal Year 2027-28 88,656
Total Agreement (Net New) Costs: $ 364,363
COMMISSION OR COMMITTEE REPORT
Does not apply.
CITY ATTORNEY’S ANALYSIS
The referenced documents have been reviewed by the City Attorney and approved as to form.
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Prepared by: Robert O’Brien, Deputy City Manager
Reviewed by: Jill Moya, Financial Services Director
Submitted by: Jonathan Borrego, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Staff Report
2. MOU
3. Resolution