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, renewing and 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 NBPOA as the exclusive bargaining agent, the City and the Association initiated negotiations in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act and Chapter 142.063. Negotiations regarding hiring and promotional practices were held at publicly posted meetings on April 24 and May 6, 2025, and an agreement was approved by City Council on June 23, 2025. The parties subsequently met at additional posted meetings on January 14, February 4, and February 16, 2026, where they negotiated a renewal of the existing Meet and Confer Agreement along with several amendments.
Summary of Proposed Contract Amendments:
• Definitions, addition of: “Observer” and “Side Job”
• Title of Captain to title of Deputy Chief in all relevant sections
• Section 4. Assessment Center, addition of (f)
• Section 5. Procedure for Making Promotional Appointments, addition of (b) 1. and 2.
• Section 5. Procedure for Making Promotional Appointments, edits to (e): (Passing Score on Written Examination x 30%) + (Assessment Center Score x 50%) + (Professional Interview Score x 20%) = Composite Score
• Addition of Section 7. Deputy Chief Professional Interview
• Addition of Article 4. Part-Time Employment of Police Officers
ISSUE:
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
☐Economic Mobility ☐Enhanced Connectivity ☐Community Identity
☒Organizational Excellence ☒Community Well-Being ☐N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
None
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the resolution.