Council approves 2025 collective-bargaining agreement with firefighters; funding to come from reserves

Tavares City Council on Wednesday approved a collective-bargaining agreement with Tavares Professional Firefighters Local 3245 that raises firefighter pay and adds staffing and benefit changes described by city management.

City staff said the agreement raises firefighter pay by an aggregate 12 percent phased across retroactive and future increases: a retroactive portion effective July 1 (described in the packet as 3.5% retroactive), a 5% increase on October 1, 2025, and a 3.5% increase on July 1, 2026. Medic pay was increased to $4.13 per hour (from $3.75) on October 1. The contract also implements additional paid rest (an increase in true Kelly days to 17 per year, adding four Kelly days beginning January 2026) and establishes a $750 per-year ladder-truck assignment incentive tied to required certification; staff anticipates four firefighters will qualify for that incentive.

City staff presented four funding options for the council and reported a total fiscal impact of about $133,001.43 (staff breakouts listed individual components: retroactive and annual costs, medic pay, Kelly days, ladder incentive). During discussion council members debated whether to fund the cost from general-fund surplus, from reserves, or defer designation pending the upcoming budget hearing.

Vice Mayor moved to fund the contract from reserves; council discussed reserve levels, the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) recommendation for two months operating reserves, and the city finance director reported the city would remain above GFOA recommended levels after the drawdown. After discussion the council approved the agreement and the funding from reserves by voice vote; the clerk recorded the motion and the mayor announced the ayes. Several council members thanked the union and management for completing negotiations.

The contract and staff packet note the union ratified the agreement and the city attorney reviewed the language for legal sufficiency. Staff indicated the retroactive portion for FY25 (3.5%) was currently funded through delayed hiring and that the FY26 budget will account for the scheduled increases.