Westminster council approves three-year pay and benefit agreements for city employees

The Westminster City Council on May 21 unanimously approved a package of three-year memorandums of understanding and compensation changes covering the Westminster Police Officers Association, the Westminster Municipal Employees Association and management/confidential employees, effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029. Vice Mayor W. moved to approve the resolutions; Councilmember Monzo seconded the motion, and the council recorded a 4–0 vote with one member absent.

The agreements include base pay increases ranging from about 15% to 20% across the three-year term, a change in the city’s contribution for health insurance to a 90% match on a specified plan, and several class-specific provisions: acting pay for administrative roles, additional funds for an extra pair of safety boots for WMEA members, and a $500 stipend for POA members to be used over the three-year period. Human Resources Director Jod Griner told the council the three-year package carries an estimated fiscal impact of $7.2 million, which city staff said will be included in the proposed budget.

The agreements were the subject of public comment immediately before the vote. Michael Venia, a retired Garden Grove police officer, urged council members to consider the effects of state criminal-justice changes such as AB 109, Proposition 47 and Proposition 57, saying those measures have made policing more difficult and complicated recruitment. "The job of a police officer gets harder and harder as we go along," Venia said.

Bryce Burton, speaking for the Westminster Police Officers Association, said the union supports the proposed contract and credited city leadership with improving the city’s financial position. "Under the proposed contract, our members would see increases in pay and benefits and feel appreciated and valued for all of the hard work that they do," Burton said, urging a yes vote.

Councilmembers who spoke before the vote thanked negotiators and staff for reaching the agreements and emphasized retention as a priority. The motion to adopt resolutions amending Resolution Nos. 5233, 5234 and 5235 (to implement the respective memoranda and updated salary schedules) passed on a roll call vote recorded as four yes votes and one absence.

After the vote the council recessed to closed session to discuss anticipated litigation and labor negotiations; the mayor reported out afterward that there was no reportable action and that the mayor and vice mayor had recused themselves from one closed-session item. The meeting was then adjourned.