The City of Novato has reached tentative labor agreements with the Novato Police Officers Association (POA) and the Novato Police Manager’s Association (PMA). The POA represents the City’s sworn police officers and corporals, while the PMA represents sergeants, lieutenants and captains. Together, these associations comprise 27% of the City’s workforce.

The proposed three-year agreements, covering July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028, include the same base terms offered to the City’s other employee groups:

• Base salary increase of 11% over three years
• Additional one-time equity adjustments in the first year to move positions closer to market median. Positions represented by the POA will receive equity adjustments of up to 3.26%, while positions represented by the PMA will receive adjustments of up to 1.7%
• Continued coverage of as much as 100% of medical benefits for employees and their families

These agreements also include increased incentives for training and education certifications for officers, corporals, sergeants and lieutenants, encouraging professional development and investing in ongoing training that enhances our officers’ ability to serve the community. The POA agreement includes a one-time retention bonus to strengthen workforce stability and recognize the impact of employee turnover over the past few years.

“Our police officers are often the first point of contact for our community. Whether responding to calls for service or engaging with residents at events and throughout the city, they represent the face of local government, building trust and strengthening community relationships,” said Mayor Tim O’Connor. “Our police management team provides the leadership and guidance necessary to ensure our department delivers the high level of service Novato deserves. We deeply appreciate the dedication of all our sworn staff. These agreements provide well-earned compensation adjustments that recognize their service while maintaining our commitment to community priorities and the City’s long-term fiscal stability.”

The Novato City Council will consider these tentative agreements at its regular meeting on Tuesday, August 26. The meeting agenda is available at novato.org/agendas.

Last month, Council approved a similar labor agreement for the Novato Police Civilian Employees Association — which includes dispatchers and community service officers — along with Compensation Plans for three unrepresented employee groups: Engineers, Confidential, and Exempt Management. These actions improved compensation and benefits for 31% of City staff.

Negotiations are ongoing with the SEIU union, which represents maintenance workers, building inspectors, parks and recreation coordinators, city planners and office assistants. The City has extended the same compensation framework to SEIU employees as outlined in agreements with the other employee groups. This framework includes an 11% salary increase over three years and up to an additional 13% in equity adjustments (total increase of up to 24%) to move positions closer to market median. The City also continues to cover 100% medical benefits for employees and their families (absorbing a 6% increase in costs this year) while offering flexible work schedules and providing eight additional weeks of paid parental leave.

With the community’s support of Measure M, the City has taken critical steps toward strengthening its workforce and financial foundation. These benefits and adjustments reflect our commitment to the long-term investment in competitive, sustainable compensation and recognizes the contributions of the dedicated staff who proudly serve our community.