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Council debates shift to full‑time fire staffing and $30/hour paid‑on‑call proposal
Summary
Councilors spent significant time weighing a move from a paid‑on‑call model to a partial full‑time staffing model, the proposal to pay paid‑on‑call firefighters $30/hour, and the retirement/pension implications tied to dissolving the relief association versus PERA.
A major portion of the Nov. 26 Dayton City work session centered on the fire department’s staffing model and pay assumptions. Staff and councilors discussed two linked questions: whether to hire two full‑time firefighters next year and whether to adopt a $30/hour paid‑on‑call pay rate.
Staff framed the choice as dependent: the proposed $45,000 reduction in budget 'estimates' assumes the city will move to a partial full‑time staffing model, which would allow some state aid dollars to be used in ways that reduce other city costs. Councilors raised recruitment, equity and long‑term planning concerns and asked for a clearer implementation plan.
Why it matters: Staff said earlier assumptions (that dissolving the Fire Relief Fund and moving benefits onto paychecks would be net‑neutral) did not materialize; either the relief association remains or firefighters would join PERA, and that changes the fiscal picture. The staff presenter told the council the city could not realize the pay‑and‑retirement savings previously assumed without the full‑time staffing model.
Council members also questioned whether Dayton’s current population and service demand justify adding full‑time staff immediately. A fire official described response‑time and staffing realities: "I have about 5.38 people that respond to a structure fire," he said, arguing predictability and a duty‑crew model would help retention and response performance.
What council asked for: Multiple councilors requested a longer term staffing plan, monthly metrics to measure response improvements, and clearer connections between the staffing model, station configuration, and a future station replacement. Several councilors said they value the proposed model but want a plan with measurable targets before committing to permanent hires.
Provenance: topicintro SEG 295; topfinish SEG 2209
Speakers quoted or cited: Staff (presenter); Fire official (unnamed).
