Title
Consider a memorandum/resolution recognizing the Killeen Professional Fire Fighter’s Association, IAFF Local 2505, as the exclusive bargaining agent for Killeen firefighters and authorizing the City to meet and confer.
Body
DATE: July 22, 2025
TO: Kent Cagle, City Manager
FROM: Holli Clements, City Attorney
SUBJECT: Recognizing the Killeen Professional Fire Fighter’s Association, IAFF Local 2505, as the exclusive bargaining agent for Killeen firefighters and authorizing the City to meet and confer
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS:
Chapter 142 of the Texas Local Government allows a firefighter’s association to file a petition with the governing body requesting recognition of the association as the exclusive bargaining agent for all firefighters in the city and adopting a process called meet and confer. The process allows for the city to meet and confer with the association concerning wages, hours of employment and other terms and condition of employment of firefighters. Pursuant to the statute, neither the city nor the firefighter’s association is required to meet and confer on any issue or to reach an agreement. The terms of any agreement can allow for deviation from the civil service provisions in Chapter 143 that currently regulate the fire department, such as discipline and promotional procedures. Any agreement reached must be in writing, and it must be approved by the City Council and a majority of the firefighters.
On July 3, 2025, the City Secretary’s Office received a petition from the Killeen Professional Fire Fighter’s Association, IAFF Local 2505, requesting to be recognized as the exclusive bargaining agent for the firefighters in the city. A copy of the petition is attached. The law requires that the petition be signed by a majority of all firefighters, excluding the Fire Chief and anyone appointed by the Chief. As of July 3, 2025, the Killeen Fire Department had 265 firefighters employed, not counting the Chief and Assistant Chief. In order to establish a majority, 133 signatures are required. The Killeen Professional Fire Fighter’s Association, IAFF Local 2505, produced a petition that had 155 signatures. The petition contains 145 valid signatures and is legally sufficient.
If the City Council recognizes the firefighter’s association, the next step will be for the City Manager to select one or more individuals as the bargaining agent to meet and confer with representatives of the Killeen Professional Fire Fighter’s Association, IAFF Local 2505.
THE ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED:
Within thirty days of receiving a valid petition, City Council shall:
1. Grant recognition of the firefighter’s association as requested and determine that meet and confer may take place;
2. Defer recognition of the association and order an election of the voters in the municipality to determine whether meet and confer should take place; or
3. Order a certification election of firefighters to determine whether the firefighter’s association represents a majority of the city’s firefighters.
Which alternative is recommended? Why?
Staff recommends that the City Council grant recognition of the Killeen Professional Fire Fighter’s Association, IAFF Local 2505, and determine that the city may proceed to meet and confer with the firefighter’s association as the petition submitted is legally sufficient.
CONFORMITY TO CITY POLICY:
This item conforms to Chapter 142 of the Texas Local Government Code and city policy.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
What is the amount of the revenue/expenditure in the current fiscal year? For future years?
There is no fiscal impact to this item.
Is this a one-time or recurring revenue/expenditure?
N/A
Is this revenue/expenditure budgeted?
N/A
If not, where will the money come from?
N/A
Is there a sufficient amount in the budgeted line-item for this revenue/expenditure?
N/A
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council grant recognition of the Killeen Professional Fire Fighter’s Association, IAFF Local 2505, and determine that the city may proceed to meet and confer with the firefighter’s association as the petition submitted is legally sufficient.
DEPARTMENTAL CLEARANCES:
Fire
Human Resources
Legal
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
Petition