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Benefits Enrollment Coming Soon: Exciting Enhancements, Action Required! 2020 has been a year of change: in our city, in our state and country, and around the world. And with change comes new opportunities as well! That’s why the City of Dallas took the time to listen to your feedback about our benefits program and has made significant improvements for 2021.

Kenneth S. Haben was the sole applicant for the Police Officer Trustee position. The Board’s Election Policy states that if there is only one qualified candidate the Board shall be authorized to declare that the sole qualified candidate as the person selected for the Trustee position and no further electoral action is required. At the June 11, 2020 Board meeting, the Board approved Mr. Haben’s selection as a Trustee. Therefore, there will not be a Police Officer Trustee Election in 2020. We congratulate Mr. Haben and look forward to working with him.

Incumbent Armando Garza applied to continue his position on the Board of Trustees and was the only candidate to apply. The Board’s Election Policy states that if there is only one qualified candidate the Board shall be authorized to declare that the sole qualified candidate as the person selected for the Trustee position and no further electoral action is required. At the June 11 Board meeting, the Board approved Mr. Garza’s selection as a Trustee. Therefore, there will not be a Fire Fighter Trustee Election in 2020. We congratulate and appreciate Mr. Garza’s continued service of the Board of Trustees.

The Police Officer Trustee and Fire Fighter Trustee positions term expire on August 31, 2020. Active or former City of Dallas Police Officers or Fire Fighters may serve in the Police Officer Trustee or Fire Fighter Trustee positions. Only active members are eligible to vote in the Police Officer Trustee and Fire Fighter Trustee elections that corresponds with their role as either a Police Officer or Fire Fighter.

DPFP is seeking candidates to run for the Police Officer Trustee and Fire Fighter Trustee positions. Both terms expire on August 31, 2020. The Police Officer Trustee and Fire Fighter Trustee positions must be held by a current or former City of Dallas Police Officer or Fire Fighter.

These are difficult times for all of us. One thing we do not want you to worry about is the continuing monthly payment of your benefits. The financial markets have been very volatile recently and they may continue that way for some time. But DPFP invests for the long-term. We have an incredibly knowledgeable Board of Trustees and Investment Advisory Committee with years of investment experience. Many of them have been through all the market ups and downs starting in the 1970s and 80s and they know how to deal with the roller coaster the market has been experiencing. The Board is assisted by our consultant Meketa who advises many public pension systems both large and small and they too have enormous experience.

DPFP is committed to the health and safety of our participants, employees and visitors. As you know, there is a heightened awareness related to COVID‐19 (the Coronavirus). To keep our participants and employees safe, we have implemented the following:

As we continue to monitor developments related to the COVID-19 virus we want to assure you that our highest priority, is and will continue to be, that all pension payments are made timely and accurately. We want you to know we have plans and systems in place to allow us to process the monthly pension payroll remotely should the need arise. Staff performing key functions in the process have backup support if needed. As of today, our office is open for business as usual. Of course, as we all know that may change on a moment’s notice. To deal with this possibility, we are developing the processes and protocols to replace typical face-to-face meetings with retirement counselors by exchanging information and documents over the phone and electronically. The Board acted today to ensure that new retirements and survivor benefits will be approved even in the event the Board can not meet.