A special magistrate will render a ruling by early November on an impasse between the City and police union regarding contract negotiations from fiscal year 2009-10.
The time line was established Wednesday following the union’s closing arguments over an impasse regarding contract negotiations.
The all-day session at the Fraternal Order of Police office was split into two parts.
During the morning, FOP President Nelson Cuba gave testimony.
In the afternoon, Lawrence Jessup, a South Florida economist hired by the FOP to look into City finances, provided his information that the City had money set aside in specific and unspecific reserves and contingencies.
The City provided its case in late May, but countered Wednesday that the funds were reserves and the City’s goal is to keep 5-7 percent of its money in such accounts.
Both sides presented their case to special magistrate James Sherman of Tampa.
Sherman set a date of Oct. 24 for both sides to present their post-hearing briefs.
He will then come to a conclusion within 15 days. The issue then is sent to City Council regardless if either side doesn’t agree with the ruling.
In its final articulations to Sherman, the FOP sought decisions on four items: a 2 percent pay cut issue, because the union believes the City had the money in contingency to pay police; the union would like to create its own health insurance system, breaking away from the City; use non-local arbitrators in future hearings; and maintain the current “step” raises that increase pay based on years of service.
The City disagreed with each point and its articulations to Sherman countered the union.
“I’ll do my very best,” Sherman told both parties at the conclusion of the hearings.
Cuba said he was pleased with the union’s fact-based presentation. City attorneys chose not to comment about the hearings.
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