Arcadia POA was up for negotiations this year, following a very good multi-year MOU.  Fortunately, the President, John Jurman, utilized the experience of the two members (Mike Hale and Troy Hernandez) that led the prior MOU negotiations, who still maintained good relationships with the City Council.  An agreement was made to provide the sought after “pension reform” by having new hires come in at the 3 @ 55 plan and all employees paying the 9% toward PERS.  To offset the loss, the City provided a 9% increase in salary.  It is important to note, the officers will be paying the 9% toward PERS using the “cost sharing” method approved by PERS that allows the employee to pay part of the employer contribution while the employer still pays the employee contribution.  Since Arcadia has the EPMC Benefit (9% as “compensation” for pension purposes) this allows those retiring to not lose the EPMC benefit.  Given the 9% salary increase also increases other pays and the overtime rate, the POA members received a benefit while the City achieved its goal of “pension reform.”