The Hastings City Council voted unanimously to authorize retention bonuses for Fire & Rescue personnel, a stipend program designed to reduce turnover and the frequency of mandatory overtime.

Fire Department representatives told the council that since 2022 the department had lost 19 personnel and that current crews have operated below minimum staffing for an extended period. Fire Chief Troy said the department recorded 192 overtime shifts in the preceding 11 to 12 months, with 46 of those shifts being mandatory overtime. He presented a tiered bonus schedule that mirrors the police department’s earlier program: $3,000 for 1–5 years of service; $4,000 for 5–10 years; $5,000 for 10–20 years; and $6,000 for 20-plus years. Approving the program would cost approximately $92,000, Chief Troy said.

Nut graf: City staff said the program would be funded from payroll savings that resulted from unfilled positions in the fire department (money budgeted but not spent because vacancies exist). Recipients would sign an agreement obligating them to remain employed by the city for one year after payout; if they left before the year elapsed, the city would seek to recoup the bonus (for example, through vacation banks or legal remedies if necessary).

Details and implementation
- Funding source: Payroll savings from vacant positions within the approved budget year; no additional budget appropriation was requested. - Bonus tiers: 1–5 years: $3,000; 5–10: $4,000; 10–20: $5,000; 20+: $6,000; total estimated cost $92,000. - Employee commitment and recoupment: Employees would sign a one-year retention agreement; if employment ends before one year, the city may recover funds through vacation bank offsets or legal collection routes. - Recruitment status: The department was in an active hiring cycle with written and agility testing complete and interviews scheduled; staff said they hoped to onboard up to four new hires starting Oct. 6, following medical and psychological clearances.

Action and vote
- Motion and vote: Motion by Ash, second by Huntley; council approved the retention bonus expenditure 7-0.

Quote
Fire Chief Troy: “If approved, the agreement with personnel, staff would agree to a one-year commitment to continue service from the date of the bonus. If employment is terminated either by the employee or the city, those funds will be returned to the city if they leave prior to that one year mark.”

Ending
Council members thanked department staff for their recruitment work and supported the retention approach as a short-term measure to reduce mandatory overtime while staffing is replenished.