L.A. County Considers Ballot Measure to Change Sheriff, Firefighter Pay Process

Proposal would shift final say on public safety labor contracts to an arbitration panel

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Los Angeles County supervisors are drafting a ballot measure that would remove their ability to have final say on pay and working conditions for firefighters and sheriff's deputies. The proposal would give final decision-making power in contract disputes to a three-person arbitration panel, a practice known as binding arbitration.

Why it matters

This proposal is aimed at smoothing over recent tumultuous contract negotiations between the county and public safety unions. Supporters say it would offer a new tool to incentivize both parties to reach fair agreements, while critics argue it would shift financial control away from elected officials and into the hands of unaccountable arbitrators, potentially leading to bloated labor costs.

The details

Under the current system, if contract talks hit an impasse, the five county supervisors can impose a final offer after a complex mediation process. Public safety workers, who are not allowed to strike, say they have no leverage to fight back. The new proposal would give an arbitration panel the final decision-making power on some contract disputes, with one arbitrator chosen by the county, one by the union, and one agreed to by both sides.

  • The supervisors voted 4-0 on Tuesday to have their lawyers draft the ballot measure.
  • The supervisors are expected to vote again on the proposal in the coming months before putting it on the November 2026 ballot.

The players

Los Angeles County Supervisors

The five-member governing body of Los Angeles County that currently has final say on public safety labor contracts.

Public Safety Unions

Unions representing firefighters, sheriff's deputies, and other public safety workers in Los Angeles County.

Lindsey Horvath

Los Angeles County Supervisor who introduced the measure along with Supervisor Hilda Solis.

Holly Mitchell

The only Los Angeles County Supervisor to abstain from the vote on the ballot measure proposal.

Joseph M. Nicchitta

Interim Los Angeles County Executive Officer who warned the measure could lead to bloated labor costs and other financial issues for the county.

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What they’re saying

“It incentivizes both parties to come to a fair agreement.”

— Lindsey Horvath, Los Angeles County Supervisor

“Arbitrators aren't elected, they're not required to weigh countywide trade-offs like homeless services, healthcare, capital improvements, all of those things.”

— Holly Mitchell, Los Angeles County Supervisor

“Because the arbitrators 'pick a winner' as between the parties' final offers, the decision will no longer be a compromise. One side will win.”

— Joseph M. Nicchitta, Interim Los Angeles County Executive Officer

What’s next

The supervisors are expected to vote again on the proposal in the coming months before putting it on the November 2026 ballot.

The takeaway

This proposal represents a potential major shift in how Los Angeles County handles public safety labor negotiations, moving the final decision-making power away from elected officials and into the hands of an arbitration panel. The outcome could have significant financial implications for the county as it grapples with budget challenges.