FLINT, Mich. – Sheldon Neeley has criticized members of the Flint City Council for delaying the ratification of a new three-year contract with the Flint Police Officers Association (FPOA), calling the move “obstruction at the highest level.”
Council members voted on March 4 to postpone a decision on the agreement until a Special Affairs Committee meeting scheduled for March 9. The delay came after officials said the proposal was submitted without a written cost breakdown or a related budget amendment.
The police union has already approved the contract with a unanimous 60-0 vote.
The proposed deal includes a retroactive 7% pay increase effective July 1, 2025, followed by additional 6% raises at the beginning of each of the next two fiscal years. City Chief Financial Officer Phillip Moore estimated the agreement would cost the city about $1.9 million, including back pay for officers working under an expired contract since last July.
Neeley, joined by Police Chief Terence Green and union leaders at a March 5 news conference, said the council should have approved the contract immediately so officers could receive their back pay without further delay.
However, several council members said they support raising police salaries but want detailed financial information before approving the agreement. Sixth Ward Councilwoman Tonya Burns said council members must understand the full cost and its impact on the city budget.
Some council members said they were willing to approve the contract earlier but agreed to delay the vote after colleagues requested more financial details. Eighth Ward Councilman Dennis Pfeiffer said he learned more about the agreement through a media report than from materials included in the council’s agenda packet.
Police Chief Green also expressed disappointment with the delay, noting that Flint officers handled about 34% of all 911 calls in Genesee County last year, adding to their workload.
Union leaders, including FPOA President John Cramer and Vice President Michael Forystek, said they remain confident the council will eventually approve the contract, which they believe will help improve officer retention and recruitment in the city.