HomeMy WebLinkAbout26-006 Supporting the Dissolution of the Prior Lake Fire Relief Association (PLFRA)
4646 Dakota Street SE
Prior Lake, MN 55372
RESOLUTION 26-006
Adopt a Resolution Supporting the Dissolution of the Prior Lake Fire Relief
Association (PLFRA) and Transitioning Firefighter Benefits to the Minnesota
Public Employees Retirement Association Coordinated Plan
Motion By: Briggs Second By: Braid
WHEREAS, the City of Prior Lake has transitioned to a full-time firefighter model to provide a
higher level of emergency response services; and
WHEREAS, the Prior Lake Relief Association (PLFRA) currently administers retirement benefits
for paid-on-call firefighters and the City may be financially responsible for any funding
shortfalls; and
WHEREAS,
WHEREAS,
the PLFRA Board has commissioned a termination report to assess financial
obligations upon dissolution; and
on November 18, 2025, the members of the Prior Lake Fire Relief Association
(“PLFRA”) resolved to amend its bylaws to increase the lump-sum retirement benefit
"up to $16,150, but not to a sum that would cause the liabilities of the retirement plan
to exceed the value of the assets; and
WHEREAS,
WHEREAS,
WHEREAS,
WHEREAS,
the City recognizes the Minnesota Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA)
Coordinated Plan as a financially sustainable and transferable retirement system that
aligns with industry standards; and
transitioning to PERA on March 1, 2026, will provide a stable, fully funded retirement
system for the City’s firefighters and allow for the use of State Fire Aid for firefighter
wages and benefits; and
the current relief retirement pension plan will terminate on February 28, 2026,
facilitating the transition of Prior Lake part-time firefighters to PERA; and
current paid-on-call firefighters will transition to regular, part-time City of Prior Lake
employees on March 1, 2026.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PRIOR LAKE,
MINNESOTA as follows:
1. The recitals set forth above are incorporated herein.
2. The lump-sum retirement benefit amendment is approved, provided the amendment does
not increase the City’s financial responsibility for the retirement plan.
3. The City of Prior Lake hereby supports the dissolution of the Prior Lake Fire Relief
Association (PLFRA) and the transition of firefighter benefits to the Minnesota Public
Employees Retirement Association – Coordinated Plan (PERA), effective upon the
completion of the PLFRA termination process.
2
Passed and adopted by the Prior Lake City Council this 13th day of January 2026.
VOTE Briggs Braid Churchill Lake Hellier
Aye ☒ ☒ ☒ ☒ ☒
Nay ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Abstain ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Absent ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
______________________________
Jason Wedel, City Manager