Los Angeles City Charter
Amendment FF
President Ted Nonini
For our members living in the City of Los Angeles, you will see a proposed change to the City Charter. It is ballot measure FF. The charter change allows sworn members of the Port Police and the Airport Police, currently in LACERS, to join the Los Angeles Fire and Police Pension system (LAFPP). The change will also allow sworn members of LAPD, absorbed from General Services police and sworn park rangers, in LACERS, to join LAFPP.
In 2006 newly hired sworn port police officers were automatically in LAFPP, tier 5. In 2018, newly hired sworn airport police officers were automatically in LAFPP. Currently there are 216 sworn members of the port and airport police in Tier 5 & 6.
Beginning in early 2023, the City’s Administrative Office proposed absorbing sworn members from the port and airport, still in LACERS, into the LAFPP. It was proposed as creating pension equity among sworn law enforcement officers within the city. In the initial proposal the sworn officers, previously employed by General Services, since absorbed into LAPD and sworn park rangers were included. There are approximately 460 sworn personnel in this group. The CAO and the staff of the LAFPP conducted actuarial research into how much the proposal would cost and how it would be funded. In May of 2024, the staff of LAFPP submitted their report to the LAFPP Board. The report was then forwarded to the CAO. The CAO forwarded the proposal to the LA City. The council approved the ballot language and approved, unanimously, putting the matter on the November ballot.
There are approximately 460 sworn members affected by this change. The cost for the change is estimated to be $109,500,000. The harbor and airport departments will pay the majority of this cost through their revenue funds. The General Fund will fund $23 million. Once implemented, this change will not negatively impact the LAFPP.
Director Mateer and I have had several conversations with LAFPP executive management and commissioners. They do not see a negative side to this change. If anything it adds additional active members, contributing to our pension fund.
As an association, we cannot, per our by-laws, endorse of take side in a political matter. I hope we have educated our members of the issues involved in this charter change.