Early Retirement Buyouts in the City of Brooklyn Center’s Police Department
(Similar Savings may apply for all City Departments)
This narrative is an objective attempt to point out the cost benefit of providing senior police officer buyouts and how the buyouts WILL save the City of Brooklyn Center hundreds of thousands of dollars. This issue can be resolved as a “WIN WIN” proposition for both senior police officers and the City of Brooklyn Center’s City Manager, Curt Boganey. Moreover, this issue shouldn’t become an issue of pride, stubbornness, nor a power play between the city management and police union personnel. The issue should be resolved based on objective reasoning and prudent money management. After all, this is about public monies and the real benefit will come to the “Tax Paying” citizens of the City of Brooklyn Center.
Here we’ll layout the terms of the issue and let the public decide what’s a “WIN WIN” solution for both police personnel and city management.
**FACT**
Recently the same issue (senior police officer buyouts) was brought before the City of Brooklyn Park’s City Council. The local police union, representing the Brooklyn Park Police personnel, presented their buyout plan. The analysis clearly showed the cost savings to the City and the benefit to the senior officers. The City Council moved to approve the buyout plan that was offered. The plan provides huge savings to the City and additionally provides better management control of the attrition element that is eminent.
**These proposed terms are the same as Brooklyn Park’s approved terms**
The Brooklyn Center senior police officers will receive a severance package that includes the following:
1. Age 52 or older qualifies senior police personnel
2. 100% sick time, vacation, and holiday pay at time of retirement
3. Upon retirement, Health Care coverage to the age of 65 yrs.
These terms realize a City savings of approximately $30,000.00 per year for each senior officer that’s replaced by a new hire. The savings to the City would yield $90,000.00 per officer that leaves at 52 years rather than 55 years.
The Police budget cost savings has clearly been recognized and acknowledged by the City of Brooklyn Park. However, the City of Brooklyn Center (Curt Boganey) has refused to even look at the possibility of working with senior officers on the early buyout option. Furthermore, there has been no acknowledgment of the hundreds of thousands of dollars that could be saved annually. The senior officers of the Brooklyn Center Police department are disappointed that Curt Bogany is reluctant to bring this option forward. Instead, Mr. Bogany chooses to talk down the option in closed door meetings and refuses to consider the tax savings to the people of the City of Brooklyn Center.
Please let Mr. Boganey and the Brooklyn Center City Council know that you want better fiscal management of City funds.
Brooklyn Center City Manager, Curt Boganey, email: cboganey@ci.brooklyn-center.mn.us
Mayor Tim Willson
7007 Dallas Road
Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
phone: 763-503-5729
voice: 763-569-3450
Term of Office - 1/1/07 - 12/31/10
mayorwillson@ci.brooklyn-center.mn.us
Councilmember Kay Lasman
4407 Woodbine Lane
Brooklyn Center, MN 55429
phone: 763-560-6689
voice: 763-569-3448
Term of Office - 1/1/97 - 12/31/12
councilmemberlasman@ci.brooklyn-center.mn.us
Councilmember Tim Roche
816 69th Avenue North
Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
phone: 763-772-3017
voice: 763-569-3447
Term of Office – 1/1/09 – 12/31/12
councilmemberroche@ci.brooklyn-center.mn.us
Councilmember Dan Ryan
6442 Indiana Avenue North
Brooklyn Center, MN 55429
phone: 763-535-4177
voice: 763-569-3445
Term of Office - 1/1/07 - 12/31/10
councilmemberryan@ci.brooklyn-center.mn.us
Councilmember Mark Yelich
6018 Beard Avenue North
Brooklyn Center, MN 55429
phone: 763-486-6001
voice: 763-569-3444
Term of Office – 1/1/07 – 12/31/10
councilmemberyelich@ci.brooklyn-center.mn.us
City of Brooklyn Center Homeowner and Tax Payer!
