Highland Council approves Lone Peak public safety wage increase, adopts midyear budget amendments

Highland City Council on Tuesday approved a midyear pay adjustment for Lone Peak Public Safety and adopted a set of fiscal year 2024–25 budget amendments that officials said are needed to reflect year‑to‑date revenue and expense changes.

The council voted 5–0 to affirm the Lone Peak Board’s approved wage increase for firefighters, a change staff said will increase Highland’s allocation by roughly $66,000 for the remainder of the current fiscal year. Council members then adopted a broader resolution amending the city’s midyear budget, covering multiple funds and line items, also by a 5–0 vote.

City staff and Lone Peak leaders said the wage adjustment is intended to keep the district competitive with neighboring departments, improve retention and address rising call volume and the greater fire‑risk profile in Highland and Alpine. Chief Patton summarized factors that informed the Lone Peak Board’s recommendation: market wage comparisons, rising call volume and Highland’s wildland‑urban interface risk and the size of newer homes in the district. "We're trying to stay competitive in the market," Patton told the council.

Staff estimated Highland’s net revenue position after the changes would be about $30,000 for the current fiscal year…