PRESENTER: Presenter
Becca Miears, Director of Human Resources
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SUBJECT: Title
Approval of a resolution of the City Council of the City of New Braunfels, Texas, amending the Meet and Confer Agreement between the City and the New Braunfels Police Officers' Association (NBPOA) for a term ending on September 30, 2028.
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DEPARTMENT: Human Resources
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: All
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Chapter 142 of the Texas Local Government Code authorizes certain municipalities to meet and confer with firefighter and police associations on matters such as wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment. Any agreement reached through this process must be ratified by both a majority of the City Council and a majority of covered employees through a secret-ballot election. Once fully ratified, a Meet and Confer Agreement may supersede conflicting state statutes, local ordinances, civil service provisions, and rules adopted by the department head or the New Braunfels Firefighters and Police Officers Civil Service Commission. Registered city voters may also petition for an election to repeal a ratified agreement.
On April 5, 2018, the City received a petition requesting recognition of the New Braunfels Police Officers Association (NBPOA) as the sole and exclusive bargaining agent for all municipal police officers, excluding the Police Chief and Assistant Chief, as permitted under Sections 142.053 and 142.058 of the Local Government Code. The Association demonstrated majority support among covered police officers and affirmed its commitment to comply with all statutory requirements, including the no-strike provision in Section 142.057.
Following City Council’s recognition of the New Braunfels Police Officers’ Association (NBPOA) as the sole and exclusive bargaining agent for covered police officers, the City and the Association initiated the Meet and Confer process pursuant to Chapter 142 of the Texas Local Government Code. In accordance with Section 142.063 and the Texas Open Meetings Act, negotiations concerning hiring and promotional practices were conducted at lawfully posted public meetings held on April 24 and May 6, 2025, with an agreement subsequently approved by City Council on June 23, 2025.
The parties subsequently continued negotiations concerning the renewal and amendment of the existing Meet and Confer Agreement at lawfully posted public meetings held on January 14, February 4, and February 16, 2026. The resulting renewal and amendments were approved by City Council on April 13, 2026. The parties met again at a lawfully posted public meeting on August 3, 2026, to negotiate additional amendments to the existing Meet and Confer Agreement.
Summary of Proposed Contract Amendments:
• Article 3. Promotions, Section 2. Promotional Examination Procedure, addition of (d): The Eligibility List for Police Department promotional examinations shall remain in effect for twelve (12) months from the date the list is approved and certified by the Civil Service Commission, unless the list is exhausted before the expiration of the twelve (12) month period.
This provision shall apply to currently existing promotional lists as of August 24, 2026, beginning with the Sergeant promotional examination conducted on August 25, 2025, and all promotional examinations conducted thereafter.
o For the August 25, 2025 Sergeant promotional examination, the twelve (12) month eligibility period shall begin on October 9, 2025, the date the eligibility list was approved and certified by the Civil Service Commission.
o For the May 18, 2026 Corporal promotional examination, the twelve (12) month eligibility period shall begin on July 20, 2026, the date the eligibility list was approved and certified by the Civil Service Commission.
o For the May 19, 2026 Lieutenant promotional examination, the twelve (12) month eligibility period shall begin on July 20, 2026, the date the eligibility list was approved and certified by the Civil Service Commission.
o For the May 19, 2026 Deputy Chief promotional examination, the twelve (12) month eligibility period shall begin on July 24, 2026, the date the eligibility list was approved and certified by the Civil Service Commission.
• Article 3. Promotions, Section 9. Statutory Override, addition of: This article supersedes section 143.036(h) since this contract sets the Eligibility List for the Police Department promotional examinations effective for twelve (12) months from the approved and certified date by the Commission, unless exhausted before twelve (12) months; not the date on which the written examination is given.
ISSUE:
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
N/A Economic Mobility N/A Enhanced Connectivity N/A Community Identity
N/A Organizational Excellence N/A Community Well-Being
FISCAL IMPACT:
None
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the resolution.