Overtime Takes Center Stage in Del Rio Police Contract Negotiations

DEL RIO, Texas — Overtime earnings became a central point of discussion during contract negotiations between the City of Del Rio and its police association, as city officials presented compensation figures showing that some officers earn more in total annual wages than certain supervisory personnel.

The presentation prompted objections from association representatives, who argued that overtime requires officers to work additional hours, often at the expense of time with their families, and should not be considered part of their regular compensation.

The disagreement emerged as both sides continued negotiations over police salaries, with the city emphasizing the financial impact of overtime and the association questioning its relevance when comparing base salaries with those offered by other departments.

City Highlights Overtime Earnings and Grant Funding

During the bargaining session, a city finance representative presented information about the police department’s budget, compensation expenses and grant-funded overtime opportunities.

The presentation highlighted two programs supporting local law enforcement operations: Operation Stonegarden and Operation Lone Star.

According to the city, the programs provide funding for border security operations, including overtime assignments, equipment and other departmental expenses.

City finance staff explained that grant-funded overtime can significantly increase an officer’s total annual earnings.

The presentation included examples of employees’ base salaries, grant-funded overtime and other overtime accumulated through September 11, 2026.

According to the city’s figures, some officers working eligible overtime assignments could earn more in total annual wages than certain supervisory personnel.

The representative also noted that police recruits initially earn approximately $17 per hour but presented figures showing hourly earnings ranging from $22.51 to $48.77 when overtime was factored into the calculations for certain employees.

City officials emphasized that the information was not intended to reflect negatively on individual employees but rather to demonstrate how overtime affects the department’s overall compensation picture.

The city also raised concerns about potential pay compression, where adjustments to a salary structure could narrow compensation differences between ranks.

Police Association Challenges Overtime Comparisons

Following the presentation, an association representative challenged the city’s emphasis on overtime earnings, arguing that opportunities to work additional hours should not be represented as part of an officer’s regular compensation.

“These officers have to spend time away from the family. They have to work for this money. They have to earn it,” the representative said.

The association emphasized that officers who choose not to work overtime, or are unable to do so, do not receive the additional compensation.

The representative also pointed out that much of the overtime being discussed was supported through federal and state grant programs rather than regular city salary appropriations.

Additionally, the association argued that Del Rio is not unique in having access to these funding opportunities.

The representative cited other communities, including Eagle Pass, Uvalde and Hondo, when discussing grant funding available to law enforcement agencies.

According to the association, officers in comparable departments also have opportunities to supplement their regular salaries through overtime, making it inappropriate to use those earnings as a distinguishing factor when evaluating Del Rio’s base salaries.

The association acknowledged that overtime expenses must be considered during municipal budgeting but maintained that the same financial considerations apply to other departments used in its salary comparisons.

Probationary Officers Also Become Point of Contention

Another disagreement arose over the overtime opportunities available to probationary officers.

The city’s presentation referenced the approximately $17 hourly starting rate for police recruits and illustrated how overtime could increase total annual earnings.

However, an association representative challenged that example, explaining that probationary officers cannot work overtime without their field training officer, who must also agree to the assignment.

The representative questioned why the department would pay two officers to perform an assignment that could otherwise be handled by one.

The association maintained that these restrictions limit the overtime opportunities available to probationary personnel.

City Clarifies Purpose of Presentation

Later in the session, a city finance representative addressed the association’s concerns and clarified that the overtime figures were not being presented as part of the city’s proposed compensation package.

Instead, the representative explained that the information was intended to demonstrate how overtime affects departmental spending.

The city noted that salary adjustments also influence other expenses, including overtime, longevity pay, retirement contributions, workers’ compensation and payroll taxes.

Association representatives acknowledged those costs but reiterated that comparable departments face similar expenses and have access to many of the same overtime opportunities.

The discussion highlighted a continuing disagreement over how overtime should be considered during salary negotiations.

While the city emphasized its effect on departmental spending and total annual earnings, the association maintained that additional income earned through extra hours should remain separate from discussions about regular base salaries.

No final contract agreement was reached during the bargaining session, with both sides expected to continue negotiations at their next scheduled meeting.