Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Fire Department Pay topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council rescinds volunteer-pay resolution to meet CalPERS rules; volunteers to be reimbursed for documented expenses
Summary
Council rescinded resolution CCR-18-44 after staff and the auditor found the call-count stipends conflicted with accounting rules and CalPERS. Staff (Melissa) said volunteers will be reimbursed for documented expenses and the fire district may take payroll responsibility pending written agreement.
The council voted to rescind its prior volunteer-firefighter compensation policy (referenced in the transcript as CCR-18-44) after an auditor review and PERS guidance raised compliance concerns.
Melissa (identified in the transcript) told the council the auditor flagged the previous practice of paying fixed stipends tied to the number of calls taken — for example, $100 for up to 10 calls, $200 for 11–20, and $300 for 21 or more — as inconsistent with accounting rules for stipends. She said current rules allow reimbursement for specific expenses (mileage, equipment) rather than call-count stipends, and explained CalPERS reporting requirements related to coverage and payroll onboarding.
Melissa said the district has agreed to move the coverage to its payroll in writing, which would help address the PERS issue, but the arrangement was not finalized at the meeting. The council approved rescinding the prior resolution (recorded in the transcript as CCRDash2626DashO4/"rescind CCR Dash18Dash44").
Council discussed potential morale impacts for volunteers but noted compliance necessitates the change. Staff said they will continue work with the district and provide follow-up details when available.
