SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
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Approve the following request of employees Reynold Choo-Chew, Parks and Recreation Department, Brian Dort, General Services Department, Keith McReynolds, Parks and Recreation Department, and Sean Witherspoon, Police Department to vest their pension as provided by Section 2.419 of the Employees’ Pension Plan.
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SUMMARY:
Reynold Choo-Chew, Division Controller, Parks & Recreation Department, was employed by the City on March 10, 2014, and his pension service credit is effective on that date. Mr. Choo-Chew terminated from city employment on November 21, 2025.
Brian Dort, Licensed Electrician, General Services Department, was employed by the City on November 13, 2007, and his pension service credit is effective on that date. Mr. Dort terminated from city employment on July 30, 2025.
Keith McReynolds, Rec Facilities Supp. Custodian, Parks & Recreation Department, was employed by the City on May 15, 2017, and his pension service credit is effective on that date. Mr. McReynolds terminated from city employment on November 12, 2025.
Sean Witherspoon, Police Service Technician, Police Department, was employed by the City on July 19, 2010, and his pension service credit is effective on that date. Mr. Witherspoon terminated from city employment on November 19, 2025.
The Employees’ Pension Plan provides that should an employee cease to be an employee of the City of Clearwater or change status from full-time to part-time after completing five or more years (non-hazardous duty) and ten or more years (hazardous duty) of creditable service (pension participation), such employee shall acquire a vested interest in the retirement benefits. Vested pension payments commence on the first of the month following the month in which the employee normally would have been eligible for retirement.
Section 2.416 provides for normal retirement eligibility for non-hazardous duty employees hired prior to the effective date of this reinstatement (1/1/13), a member shall be eligible for retirement following the earlier of the date on which a participant has reached the age of 55 years and completed 20 years of credited service; the date on which a participant has reached age 65 years and completed five years of credited service; or the date on which a member has completed 30 years of service regardless of age. For non-hazardous duty employees hired on or after the effective date of this restatement, a member shall be eligible for retirement following the earlier of the date on which a participant has reached the age of 60 years and completed 25 years of credited service; or the date on which a participant has reached the age of 65 years and completed five years of credited service. Mr. Choo-Chew will meet the non-hazardous duty criteria and begin collecting a pension in May of 2029. Mr. Dort will meet the non-hazardous duty criteria and begin collecting a pension in March of 2033. Mr. McReynolds will meet the non-hazardous duty criteria and begin collecting a pension in May of 2027. Mr. Witherspoon will meet the non-hazardous duty criteria and begin collecting a pension in August of 2030.
Section 2.416 provides for normal retirement eligibility for hazardous duty employees, a member shall be eligible for retirement following the earlier of the date on which the participant has completed 20 years of credited service regardless of age, or the date on which the participant has reached 55 years and completed ten years of credited service.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
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USE OF RESERVE FUNDS:
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