Politics & Government

Council Recommends Tasco's Changes to DROP Program

The Committee of the Whole voted to recommend a bill, altering the DROP program, by cutting interest rates and adding a two-year wait period.

With several amendments, a bill that would alter the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) was given a favorable recommendation by City Council’s Committee of the Whole after a public hearing and vote Wednesday.

The bill would alter the DROP program by adjusting the interest rate on the accounts, and requiring that participants wait an extra two years before registering.

After hearing public testimony from police and fire representatives, one amendment was added to the bill by Councilman Brian O’Neill (R-10thDistrict), to exempt police and fire employees from the two-year waiting period.

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During the public testimony, President of the Fraternal Order of Police, John McNesby, told council  “as far as the police department and police officers are concerned, DROP works.”

Firefighter Union President Bill Gault told council that firefighters need the DROP funds to pay for medical care. The waiting period exception was passed with one council member, James Kenney (D-At-Large), opposed.

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Additional amendments were added to the bill by Councilwoman Marian Tasco (D- 9th District), who introduced the bill in May. The amendments prevent workers from pre-registering for the DROP program and from taking a DROP payment, returning to work, and getting a lump sum payment at retirement.

The bill was recommended with the amendments by the Committee of the Whole, for discussion at the next meeting of council.

The meeting was swift, taking place after several hours of public testimony and a recess that lasted until 2 p.m.

During public testimony, several city employees testified in favor of the program as it stands, while Committee of Seventy President Zack Stalberg called DROP “a symbol of arrogance and entitlement.”

The final vote on giving the bill a favorable recommendation passed, with Councilman Kenney and Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell (D- 3rd District) opposed.


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