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Elko council approves MOU to offset firefighters’ PERS contribution increase
Summary
Council approved a memorandum of understanding to cover firefighters' increased employee PERS contribution (4.375% rate effective 07/20/2025), including a retroactive adjustment intended to prevent a net pay cut of 1.375% that resulted from higher PERS costs and negotiated COLA.
The Elko City Council approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will cover the first-employee contribution rate increase affecting the city’s firefighters, staff told the council.
City staff explained that PERS contribution rates rose, producing an effective pay decrease for the firefighters of 1.375% when combined with a negotiated 3% cost-of-living adjustment effective July 1, 2025. The MOU (to append the existing collective bargaining agreement) would cover the 4.375% PERS increase beginning July 20, 2025 and include a retroactive payment to make affected employees whole from that date to the present.
City staff said the issue arose after negotiators concluded firefighter pay but learned of the larger-than-expected PERS rate increase. Susie (city staff) told the council the city intends to handle the firefighters’ MOU now and then address patrol and sergeant units in follow-up negotiations so those members do not take a pay cut.
Council members expressed support for the approach to avoid pay reductions for public-safety personnel, calling the rate increase “obnoxious” and noting the long-term pressures on public-safety budgets. The motion to approve the MOU carried by voice vote.
