The City of Laguna Beach finalized a three-year labor agreement with the Laguna Beach Police Employee’s Association—which represents about 90 officers in the city—during a Jan. 10 city council meeting.
The agreement received an “overwhelming” number of votes in favor from the association, according to a city press release on Jan. 4. It is now in effect retroactively from Jan. 1 and through the end of 2025.
“At its core, this agreement is about supporting public safety,” Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen said in the news release.
The agreement includes a 19 percent increase in salary and benefits over three years, in addition to an immediate 10 percent jump.
Additionally, under the agreement, the city will contribute more to officers’ retirement health savings plans and increase pay for specialty assignments—including school resource officers, detectives, and sergeants.
This is the best agreement ever offered to the association, city spokeswoman Cassie Walder told The Epoch Times, “in recognition of their outstanding work.”
She said the tentative agreement will address recruitment and retention and incentivize professional growth and development.
The raises are expected to increase the city’s current budget by around $400,000, increasing to $1.1 million for 2023–2024, and $1.7 million in 2024–2025.
According to city officials, the total compensation package sets Laguna Beach as the No. 2 city behind Costa Mesa in Orange County for officer compensation.
