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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/5/24 Letter from Chief Kavanaugh to the City Council L.Kenneth Kavanaugh Jr. Mike Moore Lt.Col.Michael McVoy Chief of Police Mayor Asst. Chief of Police JEFFERSONVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT February 5, 2024 Council President Dustin White Council VP Scott Hawkins Common Council Members RE: Currently Addressing the JPD Collective Bargaining Agreement(CBA)/JPD Administration is Supporting the Bargaining Unit FOP#100/Goal of Action Negotiating the Contract(early) in 2024 for July 1st,2024,for a Pay Adjustment Dear City Council, The Jeffersonville Police Department Administration is respectfully requesting for the Jeffersonville City Council Public Safety Negotiating Committee to formally began the negotiating process with the bargaining unit of FOP#100, who is representing the Jeffersonville Police Officers.As Chief of Police, starting my 9th year as an executive, and as a Jeffersonville Police Officer continuing 30 years of service to the City of Jeffersonville, my belief is reasonable, fair, and financially equitable that a base pay adjustment"has opportunity to reasonably happen" within the negotiation process starting July 1, 2024. This is action of a pay adjustment is benefitting to all parties involved with the law enforcement contract negotiations. (The JPD police officer base pay is$59,714). Previously in the spring of 2023,the police administration working with the City Legal Department, Mayor's Office, Comptroller's Office, FOP#100, and the Jeffersonville City Council did approve a $460,000 retention bonus, this did equate to$5,000 per police officer.This request was made by the police department administration outside of the CBA upon the city legal department obtaining relevant contractual information. The Jeffersonville Police Administration in cooperation with FOP#100,Jeffersonville Mayor's Office and City Council recognizes the current climate and challenges faced by law enforcement across the nation, especially in Jeffersonville. Numerous steps and measures have been implemented,then discussed and or suggested, and some action(s) taken regarding reinforcing the agency benefits, recognizing the pay rating positioning within the state and local area.This evening, a direct actionable response to our agency request acknowledging Jeffersonville Police Officer Pay and Compensation being addressed by the willingness to enter contract negotiations early with the intent of having a goal for a pay adjustment July 1, 2024.This action was previously taken by the city council in July of 2022 with the City of Jeffersonville Civilian Employees,while considering market rate(s) accordingly and reviewing the market rate analysis data as a standard for City of Jeffersonville.The market rate data was within the greater metropolitan area referencing the department of workforce development market rate analysis. c+ ,4 2218 E. 10TH STREET JEFFERSONVILLE, IN 47130 PHONE: 812-283-6633 FAX: 812-670-3020 �) L.Kenneth Kavanaugh Jr. Mike Moore Lt.Col.Michael McVoy Chief of Police Mayor Asst.Chief of Police JEFFERSONVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT The executive leadership of this city, along with the city council has displayed a good faith of willingness to address the financial aspect of police officer base pay for Jeffersonville Police Department through the retention bonus application while communicating with the FOP and police administration. Strategically, this is another opportunity within the process to address the base pay through the pay adjustment process working with the bargaining unit.The Council Public Safety Negotiating Committee can engage in this process while financially being effective that should clearly set the bar for addressing police officer pay now and in the future years. • Recognizing an opportunity for leveraging the contract negotiations early targeting July 1, 2024, as six months early defined date under the current police officer collective bargaining contract • The police administration will be advocating and available to answer operational questions within the contractual negotiating process working w/ FOP President Anthony Stewart and Public Safety Council Negotiating Team • Understanding the need for Jeffersonville Police Department (in totality) being a second-class city and positioned as reasonably competitive within the state base pay rating and local region of market rate analysis within the workforce development ranking for the profession of police officer base pay compensation So, recognizing the constraints within the recruiting process and hiring the best possible candidates for our agency,while retaining the best highly skilled police officers,who clearly demonstrate professional policing services in Jeffersonville and Southern Indiana. Our daily job-performance and professional policing capabilities support building trust and confidence in Jeffersonville Police and Jeffersonville Public Safety. The police administration genuinely appreciates the support and patience of everyone involved and contributing to the process as we work(and partner w/ FOP#100) collectively to enhance the overall quality of life financially and professionally for ALL our employees. I appreciate your time and consideration from the Jeffersonville City Council position. Sincerely, Chief Kenny Kavanaugh Jeffersonville Police Department .quo 2218 E. 10TH STREET JEFFERSONVILLE, IN 47130 PHONE: 812-283-6633 FAX: 812-670-3020