Huntington Beach : Police, Firefighter Raises Get Initial Council OK

City police officers will receive an 11% salary increase and city firefighters an 10% pay raise over the next two years, as a result of the tentative approval of a settlement by the City Council.

For the almost 200 city police officers, the wage and benefit package--which is retroactive to October, 1985--promises a 6% pay increase for the first year, a 5% increase for the second year and a 2% increase in retirement benefits.

Starting salary for a police officer under the first year of the new contract is $26,544, compared with $24,960. Top salary will go from $31,234 to $32,868.

For the 130 firefighters, the council approved a 5% pay hike for the first and second year of the contract in addition to a 2% increase in retirement benefits. City Administrative Services Chief Robert Franz said the agreement also provides additional overtime payment for firefighters as prescribed under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Starting pay for a firefighter under the new contract is $24,132, compared with a previous salary of $22,944. Top pay will rise from $28,397 to $29,892 for the first year.

Both proposals are subject to final approval by the City Council on Jan. 21.

Franz said the city pays some of the highest salaries in Orange County.