MOUNT DORA, Fla. – Police in Mount Dora will soon receive higher base pay across the board.
A memorandum of agreement between the city and the Florida State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police, Inc. (FOP) calling for a 13% increase in police pay was unanimously approved Tuesday at a city council meeting.
Recommended Videos
The request was an effort to improve recruitment and retention of new and veteran police officers, with a long-term goal of maintaining such things as a stable command structure, highly-trained supervisors and opportunities for professional development, according to a letter sent Tuesday from City Manager Vince Sandersfeld to Mount Dora Mayor Crissy Stile and the city council.
In an effort to create a compensation package to improve recruitment, retention, and a positive environment, the City of Mount Dora and the Florida State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) have agreed to a thirteen percent (13%) wage increase for the sworn members of the Mount Dora Police Department. Additionally, the City of Mount Dora and the Florida State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police, Inc. have agreed to increase the compensation rate for outside police services.
Request Approval of Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Mount Dora and the Florida State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police, Inc. | March 19, 2024 (excerpt)
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
The memorandum itself includes yearly payout scales for officers, corporals and sergeants within the Mount Dora Police Department. New-hire officers are to start at around $26.75 per hour while 14-year sergeants will get $43 an hour at the other end of the scale. The agreement notes that the 13% across-the-board increase to base pay will be in addition to a 5% increase received in fiscal year 2023-24.
Regarding outside-employment police services, those officers will make a minimum of $45 per hour while supervisors will make $50 an hour. During a city-recognized holiday, those hourly wages for outside services increase to $50 and $55, respectively.
Read the memorandum below:
MOA (City Signed Agreement 3-19-2024) by Brandon Hogan on Scribd
Sandersfeld’s letter states the pay increase is projected to cost the city $262,400, which he said will be covered by unused funds from unfilled positions that the police department experienced during the first half of the fiscal year. The pay increase for outside police services “is covered by a non-city entity and will not have a budgetary impact,” according to the letter.
The 13% increase will appear on officers’ payroll starting April 8.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: