Title
An Ordinance approving the 2026 Labor Agreement by and between the City of Lee's Summit, Missouri and theFraternal Order of Police Lodge #50 and authorizing the City Manager to execute the same by and on behalf of the City.
(Note: First read by Council on March 3, 2026. Passed by unanimous vote.)
Body
Issue/Request:
An Ordinance approving the 2026 Labor Agreement by and between the City of Lee's Summit, Missouri and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #50 and authorizing the City Manager to execute the same by and on behalf of the City.
Key Issues:
City staff recently concluded collective bargaining negotiations with the Executive Board of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #50. Negotiations were conducted after receiving guidance and direction provided by the Mayor and City Council.
The proposed collective bargaining agreement reflects current labor market realities affecting law enforcement agencies locally and across the United States. Law enforcement agencies, including the Lee's Summit Police Department, have experienced staffing shortages over the past several years due to a decline in qualified applicants interested in pursuing policing as a profession, increased retirements and resignations, greater competition among neighboring jurisdictions, and expanded career options in the private sector with comparable pay and lower risk.
The negotiated increases include an average increase of 19.4% to police officer pay and a 17.6% average increase to sergeant pay. The increases are driven by recruitment and retention challenges that have significantly reshaped compensation standards in this profession. In addition to the adjustments, the proposed Collective Bargaining Agreement includes a 3% across-the-board wage scale adjustment in each year of the three-year term. These annual adjustments are structured to maintain market competiveness over the life of the agreement and provide predictable budgeting.
The proposed agreement is a three year agreement that would replace the existing agreement set to expire on June 30, 2026. If approved, the new agreement will expire on June 30, 2029. Changes to the wages as contemplated in the agreement take effect on the pay period beginning March 14, 2026.
If approved, a budget amendment to implement the new agreement will be prepared and brought forward through the Finance and Budget Committee and City Council accordingly.
Proposed City Council Motion:
I move for adoption of an Ordinance approving the 2026 Labor Agreement by and between the City of Lee's Summit, Missouri and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #50 and authorizing the City Manager to execute the same by and on behalf of the City, I move for adoption.
Background:
In response to the 2007 Missouri Supreme Court decision in Independence-National Education Association v. Independence School District, which held that the constitutional right to organize and bargain collectively applies to public employees as well as private-sector employees, the City and FOP negotiated the first formal collective bargaining agreement between the parties setting forth provisions regarding wages, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment for employees represented by FOP in 2014. The Agreement was eligible for re-negotiation in June 2017, and, since that time a new agreement has been executed in 2019 (Ordinance No. 8573) and 2022 (Ordinance No. 9321).
Presenter
Donna Lake, Assistant City Manager
Beth Murano, Chief Counsel of Public Safety - Civil Rights Specialist
Recommendation
Staff recommends approval of the proposed ordinance.