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City briefed council on tentative IAFF Local 1605 agreement including multi‑year salary and healthcare changes
Summary
City staff presented a redline tentative collective bargaining agreement with IAFF Local 1605 that would raise salaries 8%, 6% and 5% in FY26–FY28 and include changes to health care benefits; staff provided estimated annual cost impacts.
City and Hagerstown Fire Department representatives briefed the Mayor and City Council Oct. 21 on a tentative agreement reached with International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 1605. The presentation described modifications in Article 16 (health care benefits) and Article 20 (salary tables) and presented multi‑year salary increases.
City staff said the tentative agreement includes salary increases of 8% in fiscal year 2026, 6% in fiscal year 2027 and 5% in fiscal year 2028. Staff provided projected fiscal‑year cost impacts: an additional approximately $677,000 for a full year in FY26, an additional $607,000 in FY27 (reflecting percentages and new longevity step), and an estimated $468,000 in FY28 (compounded). Staff noted those figures exclude employer payroll taxes (FICA 7.65%) and additional pension contributions, which would increase total employer cost. Council discussed budget contingency levels and the effect on available contingency funds for other contracts.
City staff and members of IAFF Local 1605 were present to answer questions; no ratification vote took place at the Oct. 21 meeting. Staff said the contract redline had been distributed to council and that more detailed cost breakdowns and recommended appropriation sources would be provided before any final action is taken.
