AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Consider approval of Resolution 2025-210R, approving a Memorandum of Understanding to extend the current Meet and Confer Agreement with the San Marcos Professional Firefighters Association Local #3963 to September 30, 2027, and to provide a four and one half percent base pay salary increase for firefighters beginning October 1, 2026; authorizing the City Manager, or her designee, to execute the Memorandum of Understanding; and declaring an effective date.
Body
Meeting date: November 5, 2025
Department: Human Resources
Amount & Source of Funding
Funds Required: FY26 Personnel
Account Number: 10002135 - Personnel
Funds Available: Yes
Account Name: Personnel
Fiscal Note:
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Background Information:
The City of San Marcos and the San Marcos Professional Firefighters Association, Local [3963] of the International Association of Firefighters, are parties to a Meet and Confer Agreement (“Agreement”) established in accordance with Subchapter B, Chapter 142 of the Texas Local Government Code.
The Meet and Confer process provides an avenue for Fire and Police Associations and City Management to collaboratively negotiate key employment matters, including wages, benefits, and working conditions. Once adopted, these agreements are formalized in a binding contract known as the Meet and Confer Agreement.
Importantly, an adopted Meet and Confer Agreement may be amended through mutual consent and may supersede certain provisions of state law, allowing the City and Association to tailor terms that reflect local needs and community standards.
The Meet and Confer process benefits the City by enabling both parties to negotiate agreements that enhance public safety services; support recruitment of more qualified personnel and retention by creating a more stable workforce with less turnover; and uphold community expectations for advanced training, wellness programs, accountability and professionalism. This collaborative approach strengthens the City’s ability to deliver higher-quality and sustainable Fire Department services to the community.
The current Agreement grants the City additional flexibility in several key areas, including recruitment (lateral entry programs), promotions (use of assessment centers), and disciplinary procedures (use of leave provisions). This Agreement is currently in effect and is scheduled to expire on September 30, 2026.
Other cities in Texas that are civil service include larger cities like Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth, El Paso, Houston, and San Antonio. Smaller cities that are similar to San Marcos that are also civil service include but are not limited to: Bryan, Cedar Park, Conroe, Denton, Georgetown, Temple, Waco, Kyle and New Braunfels.
Following recent discussions between City leadership and Association representatives, both parties have expressed mutual interest in extending the existing Agreement for an additional one-year term. This extension will allow time to evaluate operational priorities, review comparable agreements from peer cities, and prepare for future negotiations without disruption to existing provisions. The San Marcos Professional Firefighters Association Local #3963 voted on and approved the proposed Meet and Confer Extension Agreement in accordance with Chapter 142 of the Texas Local Government Code. Council approval is needed to complete the extension process
The proposed one-year extension maintains all current terms and conditions of the Agreement and updates only the effective and expiration dates. The base salary increase of 4.5% provided in year three of the agreement will be mapped over to the additional one-year term. The base salary increases for year one was 8% and for year two was 5%
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Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the resolution authorizing the City Manager, or her designee, to execute the one-year extension of the Meet and Confer Agreement between the City of San Marcos and the San Marcos Professional Firefighters Association.