Sheriff rejects contract issues

The Fraternal Order of Police has filed a lawsuit disputing the sheriff's authority.

By Molly Moorhead, Times Staff Writer
Published March 8, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - Sheriff Bob White ruled in favor of his own agency in two impasse issues that have held up contract negotiations with the deputies' union.

In a decision issued Friday, White said he would not seek funding from the County Commission for gap insurance - medical coverage for members to span the time between retirement and when Medicare kicks in.

White wrote that he would like for Sheriff's Office retirees to have the coverage but budget constraints make it impossibleto fund.

He also rejected the union's request for more appellate rights in disciplinary matters.

White said he should retain final say over demotions of one rank because as an elected official, he is accountable for all personnel decisions.

The Fraternal Order of Police now has the option to ratify the full contract, with White's latest decisions, or reject it.

But any resolution to the yearlong standoff may still be far off. The union has a lawsuit pending that challenges White's authority to decide the two issues.

[Last modified March 7, 2008, 22:01:54]