The Leander Fire Fighter Association's collective bargaining discussions on September 19, 2025, focused primarily on the reclassification of lieutenant positions to captain roles within the fire department. This proposal aims to enhance operational efficiency and provide additional promotional opportunities for current staff.

During the meeting, it was proposed to reclassify seven lieutenant positions to captain positions. This change would ensure that each of the three shifts has three truck captains, along with one station captain assigned to each of the remaining stations. The rationale behind this reclassification is to create a more robust leadership structure within the department, allowing for better distribution of administrative duties and responsibilities.

The discussion highlighted the need for a pool of captains to support the department's higher-class program and to facilitate the transition to battalion positions. Currently, lieutenants face challenges in advancing to battalion roles due to a limited number of available positions. By introducing captains, the department aims to provide a stepping stone for lieutenants seeking promotion, thereby alleviating the bottleneck in career advancement.

Financially, the estimated cost for the reclassification of these seven captain positions is projected to be just under $90,000 annually, based solely on base pay. Additional costs, including retirement and other benefits, would increase this figure by approximately 30%. The discussions also acknowledged past difficulties in promoting staff to lieutenant positions, indicating that this reclassification could help address those challenges by encouraging more personnel to pursue advancement.

The meeting concluded with an acknowledgment of the need for further discussions at the bargaining table to finalize the operational changes and ensure the department's future staffing needs are met. The proposed changes reflect a strategic move towards enhancing the department's leadership capabilities while addressing the career progression concerns of its members.