Flint, Michigan – Flint’s latest police labor agreement is moving toward the City Council after the City of Flint and the Flint Police Lieutenants Union reached a tentative deal on a new contract, a step city leaders are presenting as both a public safety measure and a financial balancing act.
The agreement, announced by the city on May 28, 2026, has already cleared one major hurdle: union members approved it unanimously. It will not take effect immediately, however. The next decision rests with the Flint City Council, which must approve the contract before it becomes active.
For Flint, the deal comes during a broader period of police labor negotiations. Earlier this year, the city also moved through contract discussions with the Flint Patrol Officers Association. That agreement was first delayed by City Council in early March before later winning approval, with the city describing it as part of an effort to improve pay, retention and recruitment within the police department.
The new tentative agreement with police lieutenants now places attention on the department’s leadership ranks. Lieutenants help guide day-to-day operations, supervise officers and support the structure that keeps public safety services moving. City officials framed the agreement as a way to recognize that responsibility while keeping spending within a responsible budget path.
“This agreement recognizes the dedication and leadership our lieutenants bring to the department every day,” said Flint Police Chief Terence Green.
Mayor Sheldon Neeley also tied the deal to the city’s wider approach to public service and taxpayer accountability.
“This tentative agreement reflects our continued commitment to supporting the men and women who serve our community while ensuring responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources,” said Mayor Sheldon Neeley.
The city did not release detailed contract terms in the announcement, including wage changes, length of the agreement or other benefit provisions. What is clear is that the deal still depends on council action, making the upcoming vote the final step before the contract can take effect.
If approved, the agreement would add another piece to Flint’s ongoing effort to stabilize police operations through negotiated labor contracts. For the administration, the message is simple: support the people leading police work on the ground, but do so in a way that keeps the city’s financial responsibilities in view.
For the lieutenants, unanimous approval signals confidence in the tentative deal. For the city, the next chapter now moves from the bargaining table to City Hall.