BURBANK OKS POLICE RAISE OF 8 PERCENT FOUR-YEAR CONTRACT APPROVED.

Byline: Sylvia L. Oliande Staff Writer

BURBANK - The City Council approved a new contract with Burbank police that increases officers' pay by 8.25 percent over three years and allows some to retire with up to 85 percent of their salary, officials said Wednesday.

The $2 million package was unanimously approved Tuesday night, giving the 161 officers represented by the union a contract after five months of working without one. The four-year contract, which already has been ratified by the Burbank Police Officers Association, calls for an 8.25 percent pay raise over the next three years followed by a raise of at least 1.75 percent - depending on the Consumer Price Index - in the last year of the contract.

The pay raise would boost the salary of a rookie police officer from $4,247 a month to $4,346 a month, and that of a lieutenant from $6,833 a month to $7,176 a month.

But the item that has most in the city talking is the new ``3 at 50'' retirement benefit that would allow officers to retire at age 50 with up to 85 percent of their salary. Some city officials fear the perk could make it easier for experienced officers to leave the Police Department while adding an estimated $23.6 million to the $211.8 million the city already pays out for retirement.

``The concern is that in a difficult job market where it is hard to recruit personnel, this makes it easier for qualified people to leave; people who are still vital and able to work,'' said John K. Nicoll, management services director. ``Also, it's very, very expensive; costly.''

Currently, officers receive 2 percent of their base pay per year of service at age 50. Under the new contract, that rate will increase to 3 percent per year of service at age 50, up to a total of 85 percent.

For example, an officer who retires at age 50 after working 25 years in the department currently could earn the equivalent of 50 percent of his or her base pay, or 2 percent at 25 years. Under the new retirement package, that same officer would earn 75 percent, or 3 percent at 25 years.

With an additional four years under his belt, the officer could earn up to 85 percent.

The new optional rate was established last year by the Public Employee Retirement System, which administers the city's retirement program. At least 50 California cities, including nearby Glendale, have adopted the program for their departments.

Burbank City Manager Robert ``Bud'' Ovrom said he is concerned the enhanced package would deplete leadership and experience in the department because many of the senior officers would take advantage of the new benefit.

He also dismissed as ``bogus'' the argument that the retirement package is a recruitment tool because it is quickly becoming an industry standard among Southland cities.

``All you're going to have is a much more expensive program but no recruitment argument because you forced everyone else to do it,'' Ovrom said.

But Officer Darin Ryburn, president of the police association, said the city would be at a disadvantage if it did not adopt the new retirement benefit.

Moreover, he said, there are many qualified people in the department who will be able to fill high-level positions.

``I think the knowledge is still here in the department and I don't foresee any huge loss of knowledge when these guys are retiring,'' he said.