Fiscal court approves first reading to raise firefighter compensation, asks for enforceable contract before second reading

The fiscal court approved the first reading of an administrative‑code change to raise firefighter pay and directed the fire chief to work with the county attorney to prepare an updated employment contract before the second reading. The proposed administrative change would raise the regular and part‑time firefighter hourly rate to $13. Supporters argued the rate increase would help recruitment and reduce overtime costs; opponents said the county needs an enforceable contract to ensure reimbursement when trained firefighters leave and that the county’s general fund balance is constrained. The chief and court members agreed the county attorney should review the contract language and that the second reading would include the updated contract so the court could act on pay and contract together. One member said existing problems with contract enforcement — training expenses not repaid when firefighters leave — must be addressed before finalizing the change. The first reading passed and will return for a second reading after county attorney review and final contract language are prepared. Why it matters: increasing pay is intended to improve retention and reduce overtime, but members sought stronger contract language and legal review to ensure the county can enforce any reimbursement terms. What happens next: the fire chief will confer with the county attorney and bring an updated, enforceable employment contract to the court prior to the second reading and final vote.